Catch Up Catch Up.

Summer, Slow Down!

I can't believe it's almost August.

We were lucky to have the Sheltons in town for a quick visit.

Dave and Bruce were happy to squeeze in a bike ride.

 We celebrated the Hunter Birthdays with my mom, George, and the bonus sibs.

Merrilee, Liza and I, our girls.

 We honored the Sabbath Day by riding the Tote Goat.  I don't even know if that's the right spelling for this crazy apparatus.  It made a real racket, and Merrilee and George live right between our current bishop and our old bishop so I'm sure some kind of special interview is in their near future.

Amber nearly killed herself.  The brothers were quick to blame her, but Bruce verified her (shocking!) claim that the tote goat had some mechanical issues.

The kids were clamoring for rides and the uncles and dads were quick to oblige.

July is a big month for birthdays- after the Hunter celebration we headed to the West's for more partying.  The West's know how to throw a party- Papa Doug cooked a huge brisket while Grandma Trea passed out toys and treats galore.

Let me say a word or two about Ben West.  He, together with my brother Dave, was a formidable foe during my childhood.  The teasing, torturing, and frightening were non-stop.  It was all in good fun, of course, and would qualify as typical "brother" behavior.  Ironically for Liza and I, our children ADORE him and Dave both.

Singing to the birthday girl, guy, and lady.

 Every now and again I really enjoy the Cal-Ranch ad.

Gay chicks cost extra.

Elise got to stay with us again.  It has given me a lot of happiness to see Kate and Kiki enjoy their cousin sleepovers.  My own childhood visits to my cousins' houses remain some of my favorite memories.  I still remember Rose saying, "I'm going to play you a song that is REALLY GOOD."  Then she popped in her Dolly Parton tape and proceeded to sing every word of "9 to 5." 

Actually, that song IS really good.  And probably I could sing every word of it too.

Last Saturday was my TWENTY YEAR high school reunion.  I'm kicking myself for not taking a single picture.  I was kind of nervous but I wound up having a ton of fun.  I was mainly nervous because on a whim I had bleached my hair almost totally blond only a few days before.

I was praying that I was still recognizable, which I seemed to be.  The name tag helped.  It's always fun to see people you haven't seen in two decades wearing a hairstyle you plan on keeping for two months.

 

Enough silliness about my hair, though.  Here is what I really want to remember about the reunion.  First, I was so happy to reconnect with a couple of people that I had lost touch with.  It made my night to catch up with some old friends.  Second, I love Facebook.  It made it so much easier to visit and enjoy each others' company because we already knew some basics.  Last: I spent almost all of high school feeling so awkward and like I didn't really belong.  I never felt like I had the right clothes or shoes or "look," and I was still figuring out who I was and what I was all about.  When I walked into the reunion, I did it feeling good about who I've become and what I've done in my life.  I've definitely made strides in life and made mistakes in life (as most of us inevitably do in 20 years),  and it was a happy experience for me to be with this particular crowd of people and truly feel like I was okay with who I was.  I still feel like I have some stuff to work on, of course, but I was satisfied to realize that I have come a long way since those insecure high school days.   Honestly, I think a lot of people there felt the same way- I had a ton of great conversations and warm hellos.  It was a good night. 

 

I took the girls school clothes shopping.  Kiki picked out the BRIGHTEST purple sequined backpack ensuring that I will have no trouble at all spotting her at pick-up.  Kate and Kiki each picked out two pants and two shirts and "modeled" them for Bruce.  Kiki looked like such a grown-up in her skinny jeans and backpack that I had to choke back the tears.  I am having a crisis about her going to kindergarten.  She still seems so little to me!  I was relieved to receive a postcard from the school letting us know that Kiki got on the track we wanted for school, which also means we will get the teacher we want for her. 

 

The first day of school is only a few weeks away, but we have some milestones before then: Bruce has the Spudman in Idaho on Saturday, I have a different race here also on Saturday, Youth Conference is coming next week, and then the Hatch's are making their yearly pilgrimage.

 

I guess summer isn't quite over yet.