Holy Colee!

What a fantastic birthday weekend! On Thursday, it was a normal work day, but for some reason, everything was just a little more fun than normal. After lunch I had a fantastic suprise delivery - Matt :) OH, and he brought flowers :) pretty ones. My office smelled amazing all day. (My kitchen still smells pretty darn good)

After work I went and got a pedicure and then Liz took me out for Coldstone. I mean... Can it BE a better day than that???

On Friday the fun continues! My Mom, Daniel, Cannon, and Mac came down to stay for the weekend. The kids immediately jumped in the pool. Mom helped me get stuff ready and then we went up to the park for my birthday party - o - joy. It was completely random, but that's what you get when you let me plan. It was so fun to have so many friends and family around to celebrate with me, some who I talk to often, some I haven't seen for months. Thanks again to all of you who made the journey - of blocks or miles :)






Saturday we got up and went to my ward's breakfast/potluck. Then we drove down to visit my grandparents. When we got there my cousins Sharon and Doug were there. Sharon is by far my grandma's favorite person in the world. They are like 1 heart in 2 bodies. Grandma had had a rough night the night before, but she always feels better when Sharon is around. Talking to Sharon reminds me of my grandma when she was healthy and vibrant. They live in Arizona, so they aren't able to be there often, but it was an added bonus (for me) that our visits coincided. After grandma's, we spent the afternoon school shopping and running errands, and chillin at the pool.

Today we woke up and went to the temple dedication. The cancelled church services in Utah and parts of Idaho so that everyone would be encouraged to attend the dedication. It was a lovely service. Now I suppose I had better get my fanny over there to check it out in person.

After church they packed up the truck and left me alone - which is NOT my favorite part of the weekend, but hey... it's only til the 11th. Then my house will be full for another night before our cruise :D Yay for things to look forward to!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a big fan of things that stay the same... Traditions, as you might call them. I tell you this to help you understand why I Love Fair Week.

Monday night is the parade. The official start to the Bear Lake County Fair. The businesses and some of the communities do a grand job of planning and decorating. They may not be ready for the Macy's parade, but for Bear Lake, it's great ;) My favorite this year was the Broulim's float. It was a ginormous shopping cart built on top of a dune buggy. Plus, they were throwing out popsicles instead of salt water taffy. :)

Tuesday night is the night all the animals are brought into the barns for weigh-in. This year, we did not have an animal, which is ALRIGHT by me ;) Cannon's pig was too small. But the cousins have pigs, which means we get the best of both worlds. We have people to support, and cheer, and get excited for, but don't have to be in washing pigs at 630 in the morning or cleaning pens at the end of the days.

Wednesday is the day it really all gets started. The exhibits open, the food booths are running at full capacity, the "carnival" is up and running, the acts (hypnotist, family band, clown, magic show, etc) are going on on the multiple stages. Don't get me started on why carnival is in quotes... Ugh. Wednesday night is the Horse Pull. The Horse Pull is a new event this year. I've been to tractor pulls, which are awesomely white trash and SO much fun, but Horse Pull will be new... I am thinking white trash is going to be replaced with hick town. But as I am told repeatedly... don't fight who you are, embrace it :)

Thursday is the stock show. So the day starts early, fighting for your spot in line to try and get those animals clean and shiny, literally. A little baby oil on that piggy makes the judges happy. If you're wondering why it has to start so early, it's because animals are not stupid. They don't like standing in the sun anymore than the rest of us. By hold Thursday night is the first rodeo. Yee Haw. I am not a lover of the rodeo in general, but when you know some of the folks involved it increases enjoyment exponentially.

Friday is also a rodeo. I must admit, Friday is probably the lull. I can't think of anything else going on....

Saturday we start the day with the Stock Sale. Since we are already there we may as well spend the day. We check out the booths in the commercial buildings, wander through the 4-H barn and the kids' school projects. Ooh and Aah at the quilts and photographs. Drool over the jams and baking entries. Get our copy of the Dairy Magic recipies. And, you know... fair stuff. Saturday night is the Demolition Derby! There is just something about watching people RAM into each other. Hearing the crunch and watching them spin while they try to get disconnected from the guy who just smashed into them. Most excellent fun indeed.

I know it's backwoods, hick town, redneck, white trash.... call it what you want. I love Fair Week.