Red, Hot, and Flew

I've got a list of excuses a mile long to explain the delay in posting, but instead of wasting this space, I'll just get right to the good stuff.

For starters, yes, we were one of the million homes that lost power in the random 30 minute storm that ripped through the east coast. Normally a few days without power wouldn't be such a big deal, but when no power is accompanied with 100+ degree temperatures, it gets messy. We pretended we were gypsies and slept at hotels and friends' houses as our home got to be more than 90 degrees inside - yikes!

We had big plans for our annual neighborhood Fourth of July parade - a neighbor loaned us their truck to make a float. But the power outage lasted until a day before the 4th, so we scrapped the big float-making plans and went for simple and timely.

We lined the tiny truck with giant signs that said, "Arlington Cooling Center" (every second of the day during the power outage, every news outlet was informing citizens about local "cooling centers" available so people could get relief from the heat).

We made a pretend license plate on the front that said, "I LUV PWR" and oversized bumper stickers with the same theme on the back. Then me and my buddies packed the truck loaded with water guns and spray bottles to "cool" the parade watchers.

It was a hit. The local ABC news station found it hilarious and included us in every newscast that day from 11am on and our "float" won 2nd place in the neighborhood competition!

On the 5th we flew to Utah for 10 days of extreme play. We spent the first half at Last Chance Lakes (http://www.lastchancelakes.com/) and the second half at Lybberty Days in Park City. We skied, swam, biked, hiked, paddle boarded, golfed, surfed behind the boat, wakeboarded, and the list goes on.... After a quick on-land prep session, I tried my hand at skiing this year (in spite of the fact that I'm still too small to swim - talk to my parents about how smart this was - or wasn't).

Check out my parents idea of fun...should we have put bets on how this would end???

Can you believe my grandparents are in their late 60's!!! Geez they're cool.



And some Lybberty Days highlights - swimming, hiking, paddle boating, fishing, talent show, tee ball, family olympics - I have the best family in the world!