Happy Birthday to me!!!

Why can't I turn 30 every day?

It was one of the most memorable birthday's ever! Matt in all of his clever, thoughtful, over the top gift giving (no complaints here) managed to whisk me away to Costa Rica. I have the best husband!

Here's how it played out: He had Jeff call pretending to have gotten in a car accident (minor) on his way to the airport, so he needed us to go and pick him up. When we were on our way Matt called Jeff to get more specific directions. Of course Matt was driving so he handed me some papers to write down the directions... and on the sheet of papers it said "This is a lie"... and proceeded to give me the itinerary for the next Seven Days in Costa Rica. YAHOO!! Bags were packed in the trunk, along with burned CD's for the driving portion of the trip, See's Candies... and much more.

After landing we drove to Guanacoste area, beach on the Pacific side of the country, where we checked into our ocean view room at the JW Marriott and put our swim suits on.

I was skipping around I was so giddy.

Our beautiful room, where we had breakfast on the balcony each morning over looking the ocean.

We lost our point and shoot last January - so for my birthday Matt bought me a new one. Cool news about it... it takes great underwater pictures (up to 10 feet). Doesn't this picture of Matt above look like an eighties album cover? Love it!

Love the infinity pool and buff dude in the shot.

The camera also has a cool panoramic feature as pictured above.

We went surfing (which I rocked at p.s.) and scuba diving where we saw a white tip reef shark, eagle nose ray, schools of fish, puffer fish and many tropical fish. Costa Rica is a beautiful country - and we loved looking back at the lush cliffs and splashing waves as we headed out to sea.

One of many fabulous meals - this is Matt's surf and turf which was preceded by foie gras.

On my actual birthday Matt had pre-arranged for dinner on the beach (10 courses). He had been coordinating with the chef in advance to have some of my favorite dishes and flavors served. It was unbelievable of course! He also set up a massage and facial for me that day, we went surfing that morning, and opened presents after the meal. I know... very spoiled!

After Guanacoste we drove to Arenal where there is an active volcano. We basically drove through the gorgeous rain forests while butterfly's and giant frogs fluttered about our vehicle.

We pulled over to get a closer view of the sloth - what an interesting looking creature, no?

We hiked to this gorgeous waterfall, where the water was actually pretty cool in temperature. We swam, but couldn't get super close to the falls because of the strength of the water.

Everybody was kung fu fighting

Another day was spent white water rafting and rappelling

In La Fortuna - Arenal, the volcano heats several hot springs. Our hotel had the sweetest ones in the area. There were tons of natural looking pools all at different temperatures. We loved this.

At both of our hotels we were lucky enough to get several spa treatments. Here we are waiting in the resting area before our deep tissue massages.

What a lucky duck I am!! Mostly to have such a wonderful husband and family. I came home to a birthday dinner, voice mails, emails, cards, and lots of love! Thank you for making my birthday so memorable!

Born on the Fourth of July! Breckenridge, CO

Happy Birthday America! We love celebrating you by doing all things American... tons of food, loud obnoxious belly laughing, black socks with sandals, and partaking in thy beauty! We spent the weekend in Breckenridge, CO with Matt's family - it's tradition for us to be together up in the mountains. Doris rented a beautiful home, and we all stay together and played. Friday our bellies truly ached from having laughed so hard.

Matt and I enjoyed the local parade, where the sled dogs pulling people on scooters were the highlight, with the tiny goat coming in a close second.

Sweet land of liberty

Like congo and pecan pie bars much?

We spent Saturday on the boat tubing and wake boarding. It was awesome, though a bit nippy... and I finally got up on the wake board (but no picture to prove it).

Matt killed it on the wake board

Little Matty got tired so he napped on a giant rock.... ahh to be 8 again.

Matt even makes sparklers look gangsta

I know I look homeless in this picture. I ate so much I wanted to put on one of Matt's shirts.

Gorgeous home we stayed in

Christine's cute table decorations. She served all food invented in America or considered to be distinctly American (hamburgers, macaroni & cheese, chocolate chip cookies...). She also put facts under everyone's plate about how and where the different foods were developed.

This picture about sums it up. Thank you Mickey and Doris for a fab trip!!

Backpacking

We assembled our packs and headed up to the mountains to enjoy a beautiful Memorial Day. The best part was that we bought our little 80 lb. 7 month old doggie his own backpack (saddle bags). He carried his own food and water - and frisbee just in case things got dull. He loved every minute of it and was so well behaved. When we were hiking he'd look back at either Matt or I (whoever was in the back) to make sure we weren't falling too far behind. The weather was perfect, and our hamstrings were a burnin'.

Matt and his big guns make an appearance.

Enjoying the magestic scenery

What's a camping trip without a fire?

What's not to love?

Lake Powell

Last week we went to Lake Powell. I love lake Powell. I learned how to wakeboard and filet fish. We slept on the roof of our house boat every night and pondered the heavens-I miss that. We also read, watched movies and ate ourselves fat on homemade ice cream. As we were watching "The Ring," a real bat flew into our room and freaked the crap out of us for several minutes. When does that happen? Exactly. Later that night my Dad tried to wake me up to help him with our drifting houseboat. I don't really remember much but as I awoke I realized I was chambering an upkick targeted at my dad's head. He said I had been yelling, punching and kicking the air for about 20 seconds previously. I can't prove it but I'm sure the bat had something to do with my violent sleepwalk.

NightShine Gala!

So... I've been planning for Saturday April 24, 2010 for at least a year - and fortunately it came and went with much success! Garth Brook's Teammates for Kids Foundation & The Aikman Foundation built a Child Life Zone inside of Denver Health. These are areas for kids being treated in the hospital to just be kids - play, create, make music, cook, etc... We are the 7th Zone in the nation, and the only one in the Rocky Mountain region. Because of this connection Garth Brooks agreed to perform live at our Gala. Additionally, Denver Health is celebrating 150 years of existence, so our event had to be over the top! I found myself in the fortunate events manager position and put all the details together.

Before the actual black-tie evening we had a press conference & ribbon cutting ceremony at Denver Health. We had at least 1500 people there - The school of rock performed (age 11-17) as did a Jr. High mariachi band. I also had girl scouts post the colors, and they were mostly kindergartners - so cute. While all of this was happening there were also two VIP parties happening inside - it was basically insanity, but went off without a hitch.

Garth Brooks, Sharon Magness Blake (event chair), Dr. Gabow (CEO), Troy Aikman cutting the ribbon.

Troy Aikman addressing the crowd while many professional athletes and Garth Brooks watch on.

Meeting Troy & Rhonda Aikman

okay, not my best picture... go easy on me. But I am standing with Garth Brooks who was totally impressive, talked to everyone in the room and felt like the guy next door.

Note Troy, Garth, Trisha Yearwood, and our cute niece Avery exploring the Zone.

We converted the stock show arena into a black-tie affair. As you entered on the concourse looking down onto the floor it was a breathtaking site!

It was just Garth on stage with his guitar - he was AWESOME! He basically talked about his musical influences - played all kinds of covers and was down to earth and kind all day! He covered everyone from Doobie Brothers, to Elton John, to James Taylor, to Billy Joel, to George Strait, to Simon & Garfunkel, and some old school country that I didn't know.

The room from one of the tables.

The sweet part about being in charge was that Matt and I watched the show from the stairs on the right - yes...the ones leading up to the stage.

We had a great turnout, John Elway, Troy Aikman, Garth & Trisha, Kyle Orton, Brian Griese, Shjon Podein, Jeremy Bloom, Haven Moses, Billy Thompson, Karl Mecklenberg are all athletes that were there. We also had a lot of great corporate presidents, media, etc... it was great for our hospital & the Denver Health Foundation!!

Trisha joined him on stage for two songs.

Jonny & Kaylene came out to help - and volunteered basically the whole day (they rule!). Jon was hit on by some cougars - work it, and they were both extremely helpful!!! Thanks guys. We raised around $2.2 million dollars that night - woot woot!!

Trap-easy!

Saturday we met up with the Imperial Flyers, the longest running trapeze group in the US. There was a 70 year old dude rockin' the aerial apparatus like no one's business. We didn't own it but did manage to pull off some knee hangs and a catch or two. We were a little surprised what a great core/back workout it turned out to be. For so many reasons I wish I had joined the circus as a youngster. No, I'm not joking. We had so much fun with the flyers. A stellar experience to be sure and one which we hope to do often.

Easter; belated

Easter weekend was full of festivities, delicious eats, egg fights, keeping Rocco from eating all of the food or pummeling any of the little kids, and general conference. All in all, a wonderful time.

The two blue Matt Jones' show off their bee eggs before the fight.

The face off.

Many winners had eggs that made it to the fifth round.

The ultimate head banging champion who won the egg fight and proceeded to parade around the room on Uncle Matt's shoulders to Chariots of Fire.

Uncle Jimmy's soda - the best and most uplifting soda around.

My winning egg - took me to the fourth round.

Our handsome doggie is up to about 53 pounds, and still all cuddles.