July started off with a visit from John and Twila, my lovely father- and mother-in-law! It was a laid back visit, which was different from past years. Matt and I were winding down from our latest test at work, which lasted the entire month of June. We sure did have fun, though! I think my favorite was the family baseball game at the high school... or maybe it was watching the water balloon fight! We always have good food, and good fun!
Then, the water park. It's always an adventure to head out to Lost Island, but this trip was exceptional! I love hanging out with family, and it was sooooo goooood to see Janise, Dirk, Tehrene, Karlissa, Trisha, Wade, Gage, Ella, and Dad!! We stayed an incredible (for us - usually we only last about three to four hrs) six hours, and no one got terribly sunburned! For me, it was like being a kid again! I knew Dad would go down the monster with Matt (wish I would have done my annual scare-the-pants-off-myself rocket down the monster... maybe next year), but I had no idea Tehrene and Karlissa were also such dare devils! I think my favorite ride is the cone, a.k.a. the Molokini Crater! It's even fun to watch because you're so close to the cone, you can feel the adrenaline from the other riders. Whoa, goosebumps just thinking about it! We closed out the day at Tony's, the fine dining restaurant where John works as the head chef. Who knew when Mom said, "it's fine dining," that it actually was? This makes me laugh out loud! Imagine this crowd: after six hours of water parking, wearing the most casual of attire (some still in swim suits), no one having really showered, and barely even brushing our hair; asking the concierge to please seat the nine of us...
Well, after I noticed that I had met the man before, with my brother, who works for him, and pointed it out to him, he very gracefully led us to the back patio. (I'm still laughing!) It was an excellent dinner (thanks, Dad!). Excellent atmosphere, excellent conversation, and excellent people! I'm sad that we didn't get pictures, but Janise and Dirk did! This is one of my favorite memories, the kind that make you so happy to think about, and sad that it had to end.
Next up - the wedding. One of my closest and dearest friends, Bri, just got married, and yours truly had the honor to be her personal attendant/wedding planner. I've never done this before, but I really had fun! We dress shopped, flower shopped, and decor shopped from here to Des Moines! I met Bri's in-law family; her sister, Lacey, and SURPRISE!! her parents and younger brother and sisters, who weren't going to be able to make it from MI, but kept it hidden right up to the walk down the aisle that they moved some things around and actually could be there for Bri and Travis' special day. Everything turned out perfectly...
En fin - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! Raelinn has been rehearsing all summer for this weekend, her stage debut as an Oompa-Loompa in Creative Concept's production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I am so elated and proud of her!
Here are pictures of some of the fill-ins of July...
