Who's In Charge Here?

And where have you been?! I know, I know...I've been gone a long time! But so much has gone on! AND I didn't have access to a computer that would allow me to make a new post. S0....

Am I off the hook yet? I hope so because I have had the greatest week and I want to share it with everyone!

Last weekend, which would have been the first weekend in August, was my (sit down for this announcement!) 20th high school reunion! I am old! We left home Friday morning, dropped the kids off at Nana and Papa's in Spokane, picked up Yvette, Jen and Denise and drove to Coeur d' alene for an afternoon cruise. I was a bit alarmed that I didn't recognize people on the dock! However, I was quickly relieved when I realized that no one recognized anyone! We have all changed quite a bit! After the cruise, the reunion group headed to the Spokane valley for an ice breaker at a small (and slightly scary!) bar. I had so much fun reconnecting with people I hadn't seen in 20 years! My old Indian Trail Elementary crew seemed to be in the majority and we rehashed old times many times over.

On Saturday, I got up with the kids and went with them and my mom and dad to Riverfront Park. The park was celebrating its 30th (I think) birthday so all the prices were reduced and a great deal!

Lyndsi, Jill, Dylan and Papa getting on the gondola ride at Riverfront park. The falls weren't as full as they can be but they were still pretty.

Saturday night took the NC Indians to Spokane Center Stage for dinner and dancing. Again, the reunion organizer outdid herself and made us all feel like we were the most popular person in our class. With party favors, prizes, good food, memorabilia and free drinks the evening was a success!

Steve and Yvette at Ella's Supper Club, Center Stage

Our final event was a bar-b-que in Audubon Park. David's Pizza catered the event and the kids had fun playing with water toys and in a whiffle ball game while the adults visited.

Some of my girlfriends from high school and I at the picnic

The rest of the week brought more fun as we shopped and played. Robyn came to town and she spent a day with us at a city pool. This pool was not your typical pool. Fountains and water slides sprayed water everywhere! It was so cool! Lyndsi wasn't able to go on the slide as she was a little too young, but the rest of us took our turn. It was a perfect way to spend a hot day.

Check out the buckets dumping on our heads!

Steve and Dylan shoot off the slide like rockets!

The Omak Stampede

My aunt and uncle were visiting my parents from Wisconsin and they have never attended a rodeo....until now! On Thursday afternoon we all headed off to spend the night in Okanogan and to attend the World Famous Omak Stampede and Suicide Race. The day was hot and the evening felt hotter! But the rodeo was fun and I'm pretty sure Aunt Coy and Uncle Don got their fill of the rodeo and powwow culture! Robyn and I stayed for a trip into the beer garden and some fabulous people watching! We even learned a new game called "Butt Darts". I won't go into the details but the name should give you a clue as to the nature of the game. No, neither one of us played! Though the winner took home $22.00!

Friday brought another reunion. This time it was Steve's turn. He's old, too! Shadle held their ice breaker at Snoops saloon in Spokane so I drove back from Okanogan in time to head off with Steve. Another fun evening! I spent most of the evening with Jenny, who married one of Steve's classmates, and Yvette, who wanted to see who she might have known. Jenny and I didn't know each other in high school but our sisters spent a lot of time together. Our husbands know each other so we have now created a friendship that I am very thankful for! I only wish I'd been a little friendlier in high school so I could have begun this friendship earlier. Anyway, Steve socialized the night away and every time I saw him he was with another group of girls!

We attended the picnic at Shadle Park on Saturday and then had dinner and dancing at the Country Club on Saturday night. After spending 2 weekends with Mike and Jenny, I felt a little lost when we ended up at a different table! However, I enjoyed talking with a couple of Steve's other classmates and listening to the program for the evening.

With the reunions behind us, it's time to focus on the end of summer and the beginning of school. Steve and I returned to Okanogan on Sunday and the kids stayed behind. They will be spending the first half of the week with Nana and Papa and the second half with Grandma Linda. I grudgingly went to school today. I got quite a bit done so I'm glad I did it, but I'm just not ready to go back! Steve completed the deck - woo hoo! He started it just about a year ago and it's beautiful! I just need to get a stain on it and our work is done - for now!