Silverwood

Fun times in the sun. When the family gets together it is always fun. Well, I think so....So with Cristy on her honeymoon in Jamaica - we couldn't be outdone - off to Silverwood. A local theme Park with rides and water for a hot day. Damon with his family, Nikki, Maddie, Sadie and Jack. Mandy with her family, George, Georgie and Grayam. Grant and Liz and Darren. And we were joined with friends Liz and Dave and their kids Kenzie, Haily, Greg and Connor. Matt is at work, it is Wednesday. I was there too but I'm behind the camera - a great place to be when in a bathing suit.

First, we got a cabana, a covered 10x10 space with a locked storage and a small fridge that didn't really work. but a great home base. Suits on - time to hit the water-

Uncle Darren takes the girls in and oops forgets his cell phone is still in his pocket. How long does it take for a phone to dry out? We will let you know....

Grayam will play with this stream of water but no other...too much splashing.

Uncle Grant gets all of us wet.

Damon was brave enough to go on the steep slides...not me.

Even baby Jack was having fun. Such a cutie pie!!!!

After the water park - on to the rides and Garfields summer camp. Grayam in the tree house.

Georgey and Haily in the Dumbo ride. Always a fun time.

Nikki and Sadie on the run away train.

So, what do you do with five children when the grown-ups are on the big roller coasters? Make your own ride out of a wheel chair. Georgey, Sadie, Haily, Greg, and Maddie. Who said they have a hard time sharing?

The panic plunge is about to begin- look out George and Liz. What goes up....

Must come down..sooner or later..
I think Liz liked going up better. We started the day at 11 in the morning and ended the day at 9 at night. I think we all had a great day - I know I did!!!!!!

Cristy is Sealed to Nathaniel

Well, here it is the day after and I must say yesterday (even though it was verrrrrry hot) was a great day. My Cristy is married. Nathaniel is a great guy. Temple ceremony started at 1:03 p.m. pacific daylight time and they where sealed at 1:09. Short, sweet and all the important things said. I think Mandy won the crying award. Although we all shed a few happy tears.

She was beautiful. The funny thing that happened was that during the picture taking at the temple, the sprinklers went off. If we weren't in our good clothes, I think we all would have run through them, it was 96 degrees out there (according to my car). But Cristy heard the start up noise, screamed and started to run - she lucked out and one sprinkler head was pointed the wrong way - otherwise she would have gotten it.

Nathaniel and his father Cesar.

Grant, Matt and Darren - always serious.

Here is C n' N listening to a very touching toast from Cesar. (Georgey is having too much fun running around) There was a ring ceremony - I had to walk down the aisle so I don't have any pictures of this but it was conducted by Bishop Johnson, my home teacher. They had all the nieces and nephews that were old enough, participate. The best was Georgey - he didn't like everyone looking at him so he covered his eyes as he walked with Maddie and Sadie. It was great and sorry I don't have a picture.The food was great.

A little dancing.

Throwing of the bouquet. New sister, Carly caught it. Georgey got the garter.

Then off to Jamaica. We had allot of help cleaning up and it really didn't take that long to pack everything up . But boy was I tired. It was a great day!!!!

To Cristy - I love you lots, tons, gobs, bunch and to Nathaniel, take care of my little girl and welcome to the family.

Shower time !!!!

Cristy gets into town and Mandy throws a shower. Perfect!!! We played - Who knows Cristy better - Friends or Family? Family just barely Won -

Mandy served a great spread. Mexican food with personal water bottles. Brooke, Rachael and Christy-O helped her. And Cristy got to see allot of old friends.

But of course the main reason for any shower is the presents --

A big thank-you to everyone -
Here is Cristy with her grandma - my mother - I just like this picture for some reason. Anyway it was a great night. Mandy you did a great job. Now the next day is getting ready for more party's on Friday before the wedding on Saturday. Since I am not sleeping that well, I figure I'll keep this up to date. If I am not up to date - figure I finally got a great nights sleep.

I was totally surprised !!!

So, it is a little dark but I got another trophy! It took me 51 years to get a trophy and now I have two in two months. Oh, yeah - I got third place in State Competition. I really didn't think I did that well, but I didn't stink as bad as everyone else. My roommate took first - so that means that Lakeland School district just walked over the rest of the state. My boss loved that.

Now on to the important stuff - Cristy and Nathaniel's wedding in four short days.

Not much happening----yet

So I hate it - or rather - I am disappointed when I check a blog and it is the same old thing. I know things are going on but what? Well, right now in my life - I am in preparation mode.

Preparing for State competition. (Stupid road-e-o) And preparing for the wedding. Getting the yard fixed up as best I can and all the other plans that go along with it.

We moved Damon and Nikki yesterday. Moved them into our shop and basement. I was very impressed as to the preparation that those two did. We arrived in Pullman around 10 am and we had them packed and cleaned by 1. In Coeur d'Alene by 4:00 - we even stopped for lunch. Not a bad day. Their big adventure is starting. This is stop number one before the big move to Mississippi.

I'll have pictures and more news of the many fun things to come this summer - right now I'm sewing, cleaning, studying and practicing for all the big events to come.

It only took 51 years

After 51 years I have earned a trophy. I competed in the "region 1" School bus safety competition and I took second place. I was shocked. I have been practicing for the last 3 weeks or so. Driving that bus through cones of all sizes. I am really sick of parallel parking that thing. I really think something should get easier the more you do it but that is not true. Sometimes I can park that bus and other times I ram everything in sight.

I know most of you didn't even know that something like this even existed- don't worry no one really cares except bus drivers - even some bus drivers don't care. What is involved? Glad you asked - there are 10 driving skills put to the test and one written exam that is 40 questions. Twenty-five questions of general laws for school bus drivers and 15 questions about the bus equipment. Do you know what system the "pitman arm" is associated with? I do!

This next picture is me trying to remember that I know what a "pitman arm" is!

The driving test include: Back up alley - basically backing into a driveway that is about two feet wider than your bus and not hitting the cones on either corner and placing your back bumper in a one foot "free" zone. You also have to be centered. Points off for every inch you are off. Piece of cake - possible 50 points - I got 26. I never said I got a great score.

The offset Alley - is just that - pretend you are driving down an alley that is the length of your bus and then curves to the left one bus width and goes straight another bus length. Without hitting anything. I hit flag and got a score of 43 out of 50

The railroad crossing is just that - we have allot of legal things, stop, look, listen, and you can't forget any of them - a possible 75 and I got 75.

Straight line is 5 groups of tennis balls placed in a straight line - the balls are 4 inches wider than your back doles. You can't drive over any and I didn't 50 out of 50.

Diminishing Clearance is an alley that starts with 12 inches wider than your bus and ends only 4 inches wider. Can't touch any flags - oops I did 30 out of 50.

Right turn sounds simple but you have to put your rear tire in a specific spot. You are only given about 8 inch variance. Harder than it sounds - I got a 30 out of 50.

Curb line is parking your bus the easy way. Just pull in straight park close and pull out without hitting the "cars" on either end. Points off for not getting close enough. I got a 50 out of 50.

Parallel Parking is my one event I hate the most. You have a space that is 4 feet longer than the bus and you have two back ups to get in. For the first time in competition I didn't hit the curb. (that simple thing takes away all possible points) I was excited. I got a 44 out of 50.

Elementary Student loading in the ninth skill. If we mess this up , well, we stink. I got a 50 out of 50.

Last is the stop line. You stop the bus with your front bumper directly over a specific line. Points off for not getting close enough to the line and zero points for going over. I got 25 out of 25.

That is it I had a total of 572 out of 675. Not the greatest score but 35 points ahead of third place and first place had 605. I need to do better on the written test. Why? Because I did this silly thing I am now going on to State competition. Yes, folks this thing goes all the way to nationals.

And this state thing is the Monday before Cristy's wedding. I just really need more stress in my life.
This is me before competition -" I want one" They are so prettttty. Mandy said - "see the trophy - be the trophy"

I was really shocked that I took second place. When 4th and 3rd was called, and I wasn't them -I figured I didn't even place. Shock!!!
I got one - my very first trophy. (And to my kids I don't count a "letter" for my bowling years in high school - a trophy.) NOW ON TO STATE!!!!

A little better than the worst

I don't have a picture to post with this - maybe next time - but I had to let you all know I am going to regionals. I don't think I have ever been able to say that. Not even in High School. I do believe that most of my kids have said it. Anyway - I competed in the School Bus road-e-o and I was the first worst score, so I get to go. I came in 4th of 10 and the top 4 go to regionals. Really , my score was not impressive but only the top two where. The competition took place during a rain storm and well, with wet mirrors - it was hard to see. I know I shouldn't make excuses but this is my first time to go to regionals and I am a bit nervous. Things take place on the 31st, so I'll let you all know how things go then.