Date Night: Demolition Derby....Romance Abounds

Last night Tom and I went to the Demolition Derby for our date night. This is a tradition we have held for over 5 years. Not only is the fare superb (funnel cakes and frozen lemonade) - the crashing and smashing of the cars and the testosterone in the air really sets the mood for love. Perhaps the best part of the entire experience is watching the people in the stands. All of the "eccentric" who usually stay holed up in their mobile homes come crawling out of the woodwork. It is a white trash smorgasbord. Last night we enjoyed seeing a new born swaddled up next to her smoking father, a drunk snorting lighter fluid out of his cigarette lighter, and the smell of someone who hadn't showered since the early 70's. We were able to snag a few pictures of some others without being obvious. Enjoy!!! Our next derby is in August - where we plan on renting a limo with our closest friends. We will all wear trashy T-Shirts and ride in style! The August Derby is usually a joint venture as we celebrate John's Birthday. We may even put candles in his funnel cake this year. :)

Karah Graduates Kindergarten! Highest Honors!

The Kindergarten Celebration was held at Thomas Jefferson Elementary on Friday, May 16th. Karah performed songs and poetry with her graduating class and then received one of their highest honors...the "Outstanding Behavior Award". We were so thrilled for her and are so excited for the big things First Grade has in store! Go Karah!

Girl's Road Trip!

On April 19th, Karah and I took a road trip to Little Rock, AR to see High School Musical on Ice with our Best Friends. The highlight for mom was the $10 snow cone. The highlight for Karah was ordering room service and then exploding on a sugar rush in the hallway of the Embassy Suites (see photos). It was a great time...one well deserved by Karah Kinz. Girl Power! Long live High School Musical.......hehe. P.S. that man in the picture is the room service guy - NOT an exotic dancer :)

Leisurely drive through the tornadic supercell

On May 1st our family went to the Oklahoma City Temple for our Stake Temple Day. All was going well until we reached Oklahoma. Tom is convinced that every fatal storm originates in Oklahoma. It is a "meteoroligical armpit".

We stopped at the gas station for refueling and re-"treating" and when we were taking the kids potty (yes, kidS...Boo is finally potty trained!) the sirens sounded that a tornado had touched down just west of us. So, instead of staying put - we followed Tom's wise counsel to get in the car and go "Really, really fast".

I was at the wheel - peeing my pants and slipping an explitive here and there (typically not recommended for temple trips) as the hail pelted our car and the kids screamed. Tom and I had a debate the entire time as to whether you hide in a ditch - or stay in your car if you are in a tornado. I, of course, lost the debate - even though I was right. You get in a ditch. NEVER stay in your car.

Enjoy the picture of the wall cloud - and the picture of me thinking I was going to die. By the way, this was the storm that ripped through Oklahoma and Missouri and claimed over 25 lives. We are thankful for our protection, as well as forgiveness for my potty mouth.

The weather was beautiful on the way home. We stopped at the Oklahoma City Zoo and had a great time. Karah saw a peacock and walked towards it. Bradley screamed, "Dont do it, Karah! Don't do it!" It was hilarious. Enjoy a few pics of our adventures.