Last Wednesday my sister Linda surprised me and visited for my birthday. Dakota and Kadin also came home for a few days. I am not one for big birthday celebrations but was glad to have the family together. We only had one full day with all of us together and there were some things that needed to be done and much fun to be had.
Saturday, we started the morning off with getting new tires on Dakota’s car and brakes on Kadin’s car (thanks Steven and Daniel). Shortly after arriving home from dropping the vehicles off we decided to go to the mall to get some shoes. At the mall, we were on our way down the escalator when we noticed an Escape Room store front. I have always wanted to do an escape room with my kids. Wes and I did one with a bunch of friends a few years ago and just had a blast. We signed up for a room later in the day and went back to shopping. After we were done shopping we picked up the cars, took them home, played some games and then headed back for the Escape Room.
There were 4 Escape Rooms to choose from. We chose the Clock Tower, however when we arrived it was having some mechanical difficulties so we ended up doing the Submarine. (We were told these both were their most difficult rooms.) It was Linda’s first time in an Escape Room and clearly not the first time for my kids. As soon as the employee gave us our task and left the room, the kids were all over the room looking for objects that would help us escape the first room to get into the second room. Our Submarine was sinking! We only had 60 min to find Atlantis and get what we needed and escape. Proud to say we escaped and were the fastest time of the day 49.50. It was a blast!!! I recommend Escape Rooms to anyone who likes puzzles, working with other people and having fun! Afterwards, we met up with Doug and Grace at Applebees and then went home to have cake, gifts and play more games together.
On my actual Birthday (Monday) we decided to take a drive and see Idaho. (Thankfully we didn’t decide to go to the mall because there was a shoot out that day at the time we would have been there- 2 killed 4 injured.) We drove to Idaho City. There isn’t much there, but it is a beautiful drive, we saw a couple of large Dams and some beautiful scenery. When you arrive in Idaho City there is a couple of streets that make you feel like you are in an old western. They have some fun little shops, a museum and historic buildings. When we arrived home, Kasey was back from school so we played more games.
It was a great week/weekend, Kadin left on Sunday, Linda on Tuesday and Dakota on Wednesday. I am so thankful for the gift God has given to me of an amazing family and extended family. Thank you all for the birthday prayers and wishes. I am truly blessed.
Idaho City Fire House 
Arrowrock Dam 
Escape Room 
BD Dinner 
Favorite Family 
BD Games
Sounds awesome! Happy belated birthday!!
Would have loved to have been there – but thrilled that you had a wonderful time!
Thanks for keeping us in the loop – I love hearing what God continues to do in and through your family!
Happy Birthday! I love how your family celebrated you!
Awesome sauce! Thank You, Lord, for blessing my SiC!
What a fun time! I’ve never been in an Escape Room. I want to go!! Is there on in Oceanside? If there is you would know!! Sounds like lots of fun. So glad to see you all having a good time. Love ya, miss ya
Thanks for sharing your amazing life. I really enjoy hearing the wonderful blessings God is giving you and your family. Your stories of your give me hope at the right times in my life when I need it most. I really appreciate you.
That’s wonderful. It sounds like you all had a great time, and there are a lot of smiles in that photo!
Happy Birthday Karen!
Karen such a joy to read and hear. So glad you all were able to get together. What a fun birthday surprise. We love you all and continue to pray for God’s blessing on your family. Keep running with endurance the race that is set before you. All to God’s Glory.
So great that you were all together with such loving company. Wish I could have
been there, but that get’s harder as we get closer to winter. Here we have had lots’
of rain. I’m continuing to get my house ready to sell, if that is what the Lord leads
me to do. If not, I am making my home nicer for me and any friends that might
visit.
So glad you are having fun in your daily life. It has to have been difficult to get
some kind of normalcy after Wes’ departure to be with our Lord.
Love you guys,
Aunt Ruthanne
That sounds like such a wonderful time was had by all of you . I’m sure it’s just what everyone needed . Happiest birthday wishes Karen ! 🎉💗
Wow, what a blessed, fun birthday! I could just see your kids looking for the items. It was nice they didn’t all leave on the same day. I was wondering if you were at or near the mall that day. Glad to hear you were out exploring. I think of you so often, always see your smile and feel your peace.
Happy Belated Birthday Karen!!
Sounds like you had an awesome time!!
So happy for you! You are loved and I will always miss your smile and the love you greeted me with at New Song.
Blessings, Betsy
So happy for you Karen. Glad you were able to have a nice birthday celebration.
Love, Mary Ellen