West Coast Extravaganza Spectacular Spectacular

This June/July I had a whirlwind set of trips. It started with a road trip to Lagoon near Salt Lake City, UT with the Jones Circus (June 9-12). Steve & Shelley gave us all a weekend together at Lagoon for Christmas last year and it was a blast! I rode the rides and screamed bloody murder until I lost my voice. We had a great lunch with Hatfield's and a fun day at the zoo. It was great fun with everyone there. We took family pictures at the "Pioneer Village" - it was quite the event. Addy was not excited about dressing up and screamed like I did on the roller coasters. We will laugh about that for years to come!! I still giggle at her face in our pictures. Caleb had sympathetic cries - his little pouts are so dang cute. I wanted to cry because of the dress they put me in. Shel- I still haven't seen my 10 jars of spaghetti sauce. LOL

That weekend coincided Matt & Maria coming to Missoula after Matt's deployment to Germany so they flew into Salt Lake and rode back to Missoula with us.  We spent a few days (Mom & Dad drove up) with the locals.  Pinochle on Friday night (June 17) - 6 of us bombarded the poor old folks.  Nic & I told them a month in advance so they could prepare!  We laughed and had such a "kick in the pants" fun time.  Dad placed 3rd.  I'm certain he cheated at least once, but I can't prove it.  We ate at our favorite Italian restaurant  - Marie's in Stevensville.  It was SOOO delicious.  And Sergio was there to perform!  La La La LaLaLa veal parm-e-giano, stuffed with linguini, La La La (or however that song goes). 


Sergio telling us a story!

The Whole Fam

Then Matt, Maria, Mom & Dad, and I drove to Boise.  We had a wonderful time with my dad's side of the family.  We had a BBQ at Kiel & Gloria's on Sunday (June 19) and spent the day at Tully park on Monday.  I had no idea I come from an entire family of pinochle players (we had 2 tables going!)  Scott surprised me there and I could have spent another ten hours being outside with such great company.

So on Tuesday, that's just what we did!  We went to Hillcrest Country Club for the day (lunch, golf, pool lounging) and Tuesday night we went to the play at Starlight Theater.  We saw "High School Muscial" and since we have an in - my cousin Angie is the box office manager - we got front row seats!  It was a great show!  Matt left on Wednesday (Maria had to return Monday for work, boo) and I stayed in Boise to work and hang out with friends.  I got to see Lurisa, Emily, Doug, Scott, Jenae, and Kristie. I went to Table Rock with Scott, had Canastafest with Kristie at Cheesecake Factory and an evening with the Jones'!  Steve & Shelley came to Tyson & Amber's so I went over for dinner.  Pat & Gary were there, Marley came over and ... gosh... I feel like more people were there, but now I can't remember.  Please forgive me if I forgot to mention you!

Cousins

La, Emily, Lurisa, Doug



La, Nae & Scott




Kristie & La - and a ghost



Scott at Table Rock



Pat & Gary Schlitt




Table Rock

I drove from Boise to home through Horseshoe Bend, Stanley, Challis, Salmon, and Darby.  I took a picture of nearly every bridge I passed.  It took almost 11 hours to get home, but I so enjoyed every minute of the outdoors.  It's such a wonderful drive in June.  I felt like I was intruding on God's back yard.  Stunning beauty.

  

I was home for one day (June 26) and then I went to LA for work [see my previous post about lessons learned].  After LA, I was again home for one day (July 6) and then I went to Denver.  I attended a very special weekend at Landmark Education.  You know how I love a good "change your life" class!  I could talk for days about Landmark.  Just go sign up for a class near you at http://www.landmarkeducation.com/ and see for yourself!  You will LOVE it.  Here is a picture of my besties after the last night:



Meridith, La, JD

I worked the rest of the week in Denver and loved spending time with my team.  And, whew.  We come to the end of THAT whirlwind.
Love, La