What's On Our Happy List?

Hannah's Amazing Race themed Birthday Party

Our family loves the AMAZING RACE...That reality show where eleven teams of two race around the world against each other following clues and instructions to reach different checkpoints in the world. Along the way they perform tasks that represent the culture of that country or city. The first place team who eventually makes their way back to the U.S. wins $1,000.000.

Just to tell ya how much I love this show... It's one of only two shows that I faithfully watch and I'd even be a contestant on it if I could! Its only on twice a year, on Sunday nights, for about three months at a time. We so look forward to watching it weekly when it is on. I'm certain we've watched every 16 episodes since it started back in September of 2001. Because of our love of the show we decided to base Hannah's friend birthday party around it. It took quite a bit of creativity and planning and use of our imaginations but it was a blast putting it together. Unfortunately, five of her friends couldn't make it (so much for summer birthdays and working around busy schedules. BLAH.) so it didn't turn out quite the way we had pictured due to lack of bodies but we still managed to have fun.

The invite that Emma drew to hand out...

For sake of time I'm leaving out a ton of details but here were the events of the night in a nutshell. We had two teams of five race to ten destinations, in different order, where they had to perform crazy challenges to get their next clue...

They collected country flags along the way....

In Hawaii...there was a hula hooping and bubble blowing challenge...

A stop in Italy for a pizza challenge at Caesars and guessing Hannah's favorite gelato at Bellissimo...

A stop in New York City to dress up and model walk in a fashion show....

The Windy City...to perform a Chicago Bulls challenge....

A flight to France to get French bread...
to feed the ducks in the French countryside...

and eat a French banana flambe (as in Gerber baby food style)

Moscow for a Russian gymnastic challenge...

The McDonald's challenge in China...

London Bridge challenge...

India... old mode of transportation challenge..

After 40,000 miles traveled to 7 countries in an hours time.. MY team (dead tired) crossed the finish line first...15 minutes before Dad's team! YES!...

and were winners of the million dollars...

Yummy prizes for both teams...

Opening gifts after the race....

Amazing night for sure with ton of memories!