Just Talkin' to the Old Folks

My dad has a summer party every year for his friends. My mom and dad had the same group of friends for about 65 years. They all knew each other from high school or the neighborhood and all got married around the same time. They played poker every month and alternated the place. At 1 cent for 2 chips, the winnings were usually $1.25. My dad being the social director of the group holds this annual party since the poker games have ended. At 85, there aren't many of them left. So we also invited the family along to help fill in. My dad had a great time, a little scotch always helps. His friends seemed to have fun too. Josh, liking any party, joined in and sat right down with the crowd and talked with them. I asked him what he was doing and he said "Just talkin' to the Old Folks" they all laughed. Dad is still thinking about the party, now we are just reliving it and eating leftovers.

Throwin' Rocks

A couple weekends ago, we went to Oakley for lunch. We stopped at the Road Island Diner which is a box car diner and 40's style diner. The waitresses had cool hairdos and names like Flo and Dottie. So fun. They had really good shakes, and music boxes on the tables. Then we went to Smith and Morehouse Reservoir. It was nice, quiet and made me want to go camping. I thought well the kids might be bored, but they started throwing rocks in the lake and looking at the difference in the rocks. It's always fun to throw rocks ! We took this family photo, with niece Candice in there. I was amazed that everyone was smiling.

Vacation in Boise

A few weeks ago (sorry I haven't updated in a while) we took a little road trip to Boise, Idaho. I know I know, you are saying, Boise, Judy, can you handle the excitement. Well, I can only try. We went there for Uncle Tom's birthday party and we had a great time; Even though the kids were asking if we were there yet when we hit Bountiful. Oh the joys of family bonding time in the van. I said to them in my most loving way, No dear children, we have 4 hours and 45 minutes to go ! Ugggh. But somehow we made it there, the kids were surprisingly good. But they don't sleep. Max usually falls asleep when I drive to the store, but on a long road trip....hell no. Troy got sleepy though.. (cough) wuss. So I drove some of the way. I like my driving better anyway. But we followed Tim and Mary, or should I say lead foot Tim, and lost him somewhere after Gooding. Yet I digress. So the trip was fun. Lots of family dinners and gatherings. Troy's family is wonderful. I love to get together with them because they are fun to hang out with and talk to. I haven't ever seen cousins get along like they do. They are more like brothers and sisters. Which is great. We did a lot of swimming. When I say a lot... I mean I started to grow gills. Josh was a swimming machine. He has no fear and just jumped in and swam all over. Max wanted to stay on the stairs and just chattered his teeth. Haley had fun jumping in the pool and swimming like a pro. We would swim all day, sometimes twice if time allowed. The good thing about swimming is that once they got in the room and in their jammies, they passed out. Wherever they were, eating, going potty, whatever, they just fell asleep so fast. That is a good thing, because I was tired too. It was fun to be there to wish Uncle Tom a happy birthday and to be with the fam.

Family Reunion

I am going to Boise today, so this is going to be a short entry, but I had to get this on the blog, and I will write more about it later. Each year on the 24th of July, we have the Bohling Family reunion. Shelley, my sister, is gracious enough to have it her home. It's wonderful. The backyard is shaded, there are plenty of chairs and tables, activities for kids including a slip and go waterslide, everyone brings some food, it's a good time. But the ultimate Bohling Family reunion experience is the Candy Cannon. Only at Shelley's can you find this good, down-home entertainment for free! This year, they brought out the big cannon, yes, they have two. Basically you add gun-powder, and tons of candy, move the kids back, warn the old people what we are doing so they don't have a heart attack, and pull the string and BOOM! Ah Candy falling from the sky, it's like heaven.

The Garden Part Two

Troy's garden is off the HOOK! We have so much lettuce, I don't know what to do with it all. Troy is pointing to our broccoli, which is totally cool to grow. I afraid when the tomatoes come on I will turn into Betty Crocker and have to can like never before. I love having all of the vegies just right out the door. Troy has worked is little butt off. I think he has a cooler hiding out there because he spends a lot of time out there. But his hard work has paid off. If anyone needs any lettuce or herbs, come on by anytime. We are open 24/7.

Obon Festival

The annual Obon Festival at the Buddhist Temple was last weekend. The Obon festival is a celebration of the lives of those who have passed on. This year we have lost two family members, Grandma May and Auntie Martha. So the whole family danced the first dance of the Obon to remember and thank Grandma and Auntie Martha for all they did for us. Auntie Martha's death was such a shock that I still haven't realized that she really is gone. I look for her at family parties and events like the Obon Festival. She was so sweet and lovely and fun to tease. She always had a dish towel in her hand, always standing ready to help, always asked about how my family was, always there. One of my favorite memories of Auntie Martha is of when she bought coffee cups and they had animals on them. She gave them to her bowling team. She didn't realize that the animals were in various sexual positions. I still laugh at that story because Martha had no idea that the cups were funny cups, she thought they were cute animal cups. I miss Auntie Martha so much. Grandma May was 96 when she passed away. She was an amazing woman too. So giving, I never left her house without some food or a gift. Whatever she had, she shared. She was fun, upbeat, could make a ribbon bow like no other, and loved everyone. Sometimes Troy and I would go over there and she had been napping and didn't have any pants on. She would shake her behind and do a little dance. Kookie, but great. Of course I never go through an Obon without thinking of my mom. It has been 19 years since she has passed away and not a day has gone by without me thinking of her and missing her terribly. So Obon was good. The boys wanted to shop the little shop there and of course wanted to go in different directions. I would find Max and dragged him to find Josh. Josh wanted to do crafts and Max wanted to buy something then sit and play with it and Haley I don't even try to keep track of her. Thank goodness she has a cell phone (yeah, I said it). It makes me crazy when they go in different directions. Finally I got them together and put them on the stage in the middle of the dancing. There, I thought I could watch them. Then they started to perform. Here is the song they sang. Makes all the chasing worth while.

Summer

It's hot. I am trying to enjoy the summer and not complain. How can you not love the summer when the kids are running around in swimsuits and no shoes. When I put the boys in the tub, their feet are black. I have to scrub them clean. Somehow shoes aren't part of the daily attire.