Carnival

It's almost time for big Mardi Gras carnivals, so it's quite fitting to post about the school's winter carnival, held last week. There was already a big crowd at the Bingo table when we arrived. This is always a really well-attended event, as people are eager to get out of their houses and it's a fun fundraiser for the school.

Desert Boy wanted tickets immediately so he could go play games. Even he remembered how much fun Carnival is!

After a quick round of bean bag toss, he went to the tattoo booth, where he found Teacher Gwendy.

The theme for the Carnival was President's Day, so I thought it was really cute that he chose a patriotic peace theme. He called it the striped ball tattoo.

It is a very nice striped ball.

One of the booths was a dress up and get your photo taken booth. We had a family portrait taken as warrior vikings, each of us with our own sword. Afterward my husband took off in the crowd. Can you spot him? He's wearing the Viking helmet and Emma is looking right at me.

Another popular booth was the spin the wheel game. Every player wins a prize.

Emma can't wait till she's old enough.

After all that playing, it was time for a snack.

And more Bingo! By now there were so many people playing that the teenagers were standing up. They had great Bingo prizes, but I don't think it would matter what the prize was, people just like to play Bingo, and this is the one time of year they get to do it.

It was a fun night!

2011 Wild Goose Chase

We were expecting some bad roads on the way to town for the Wild Goose Chase run, and it was a good thing we left early, because they were bad. Lots of blowing snow, drifts coming on to the highway, only one other vehicle in 90 miles of travel. Ninety miles on pavement, on a U.S. highway, and only one other vehicle. It was coming from the other direction, so at least I knew the roads were passable. Although it was 4WD. And after 20 miles I couldn't see it's tracks on the road anymore.

This is what I saw. The road conditions had deteriorated. No plows had been out yet, so we got to break trail with our 4 inches of clearance. Fun times. It got worse than this, but I didn't try taking a photo. And then Desert Boy had to pee. Trips are always an adventure with little kids!

Fortunately we made it in plenty of time to register and were astounded to see so many other crazy fools braving the snow storm for the opportunity to go run and get sore muscles.

They had a 5k and a 10k, and our group of seven from the valley participated in both. Here's Desert Boy at the finish. He said he wanted to run in the race, so I had him run while I warmed up in the parking lot.

Then we were off. I didn't get any starting photos or photos of the route, but fortunately Ben and Breanna got photos of the finishers.

Here's Jeremy, who came in second in the 5k. Actually, his dog came in second, so he came in third.

Christian was the first finisher for the 12 and under group. He ran in jeans, because that's what he always runs in. I'd really like to beat him, but I'm afraid he's going to get faster than I can get faster.

Here I come next to a poor guy who had pulled a muscle.

Chandra managed a big smile on her turn into the finish.

Here's Breanna skirting the puddles. There was still a cold north wind and snow falling most of the time, but it was warm enough to melt some of the ice on the ground. The biggest obstacle was the mud--part of the run was so muddy that I had to repeatedly kick the mud wads off my shoes.

The snow geese made a grand entrance flying overhead.

The kids had fun pushing Desert Girl's stroller around.

Then came the 10k finishers, with Greg checking his time at the finish.

Hector kept taking off layers as he ran. He won his age group for the 10k.

While the race organizers were busy compiling results, on the other side of the road people were gathering for Dunk, Dunk...Goose, a.k.a the Snow Goose Plunge.

For only $10, a person could heave his/her body into the frigid reservoir and get a t-shirt.

The t-shirt said "I got goose bumps at dunk, dunk...Goose."

Desert Boy tested the waters. He really wanted to swim, but I convinced him to wait until later, when we could go to the heated indoor pool.

But there were plenty ready to take the plunge right then. They all charged in.

Most then hurried out of the water.

But a few stayed and played for awhile. It made me so cold just watching them!

We went back to the Pavilion for the raffle prizes and also to hear the results. Our group gathered for a photo. It was really fun knowing other runners in the race.

I'm not sure of the official count, but there were probably more than last year's 150 runners/walkers.

Christian showing off his certificate.

Emma was a good sport, not minding the cold.

Photo shoot for the newspaper. I love the dog sitting behind them.

And photo shoot of our group again. We were delighted that everyone placed in their age group.
Next year we'll have to do it again, and maybe we can even recruit a few more people.

One of the perks was a nice shirt.

So thanks to everyone who helped sponsor the race! It was worth the long drive, crazy weather, and mud. And we did eventually find the Navajo tacos after the race, but we had to huddle in the van to eat because it had started snowing again and was too cold to stay outside. Maybe next year we'll get some warmer weather!

New Parking Lot

We saw some big machinery near the post office and went to investigate what was happening.

They're busy tearing out the old parking lot and putting a new one in. This is one of those Stimulus projects. So was last year's, when they tore out part of the parking lot and replaced it to improve handicapped access. And if you're wondering if the parking area that got put in last year was torn out this year---the answer is Yes.

I'd much rather have my tax dollars going towards putting in sidewalks in town so we don't have to walk down the highway with our kids or redoing the tennis/basketball court by the school. But I don't get to decide these things.

The parking lot didn't look so big when it was all paved, but once it was torn up, it looked quite a bit larger.

They started pouring the new concrete curbs. The weather isn't exactly being the most cooperative, but it is winter after all! We'll see how this project turns out. And then maybe we'll figure out how to rig a tennis net in the middle of it.

Ballet West

We got a real treat a couple weeks ago. Ballet West from Salt Lake City ventured out into the boonies to put on a ballet presentation for the school kids. Since I have never seen a ballet and was feeling culturally destitute, I jumped at the chance to attend.

They started with a warm up at the bar, with an announcer describing what they were doing. The kids (and adults) were entranced. We just don't see stuff like that around here!

Desert Boy was really good for the whole performance, sitting on his cousin's lap. Desert Girl wasn't so good, but I still managed to take some photos.

Part of their presentation was getting the kids to come up and participate. There was no shortage of volunteers!

Here the boys are turning their feet to the side and getting ready to jump.

Caleb says, "I did it!" And in snow boots, no less.

Then one of the ballerinas came out in costume. You should have heard all the little girls ooh and ahh.

She showed off her toe shoes and explained all the practice that is involved in being a ballerina-about 6 hours a day.

Then the other performers came out and did some scenes.

The kids loved the scary man. I have to admit I don't know the character!



The dancing was great. Even the boys were fascinated; they really liked all the jumps.

It was great, and everyone wished it would have lasted longer. It was so nice to get a taste of culture, and hopefully we can have another program like that someday! Thanks to Ballet West and to Mrs. Phillips who helped arrange for them to come!