Summer in Spokane started a bit late this year with the warm weather finally coming at the beginning of July. We had a great time on the 4th of July weekend...this weekend traditionally is always full of fun for me and John, now we happily get to share it with Scarlett. We love packing the weekend full of fun to celebrate our nation's freedom! Although our beach days have ended, we played for a day on Loon Lake outside of Spokane on July 3 with our friends, The Starr and Dickerhoof families. John had his first tube ride, Scarlett went for her first boat ride bound up like a mummy in her infant life jacket, and I got up on waterskis for the first time in almost 3 years! The night ended with some amazing pulled pork, s'mores on the fire and a beautiful firework show on the lake. John and I felt so complete at the end of that night because Scarlett woke up to watch the fireworks, it was such a fun family day.
The 4th of July was a bit cooler, but we braved the elements and drove to Lake Couer'd Elaine to do a bike ride with the Dickerhoof family. Riding in a bike trailer was another first for Scarlett and I wish I could say she enjoyed it as much as the boat...but no. Almost the entire ride she screamed in the trailer she shared with Brittan Dickerhoof...oh that poor little girl had to listen to Scarlett's cries the whole way! But she was so patient and we made the day fun regardless. John and Tyler Dickerhoof sped ahead with the Dickerhoof boys in the trailer, while Kelley and I leisurely enjoyed the ride. The halfway point was an amazing ice cream shop where we all enjoyed HUGE scoops, then headed back along the lake. It was a good adventure, but not sure Scarlett will be up for bikeriding again anytime soon...;-) That next week brought great visitors to the area, our friends Derek and Kristina Hall came over for a barbeque and I had some good girl time with Kristina! We were in both of each other's weddings, and there is nothing like catching up with a true friend.
Mid-July John traveled to Wyoming with his reservists to do some training for a little over two weeks. They shot the big artillery and spent days out in the middle of nowhere, John even had a badger confrontation while in the field! He slept on his hummer every night and ate MREs (meal ready to eat) every day. We missed him a lot like usual when he leaves...
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| Laura, Katie S., Chelsea and Katie E. (Bend High friends) |
The weekend of July 17 brought so much fun for me as my Mom, Scarlett and I traveled to Portland for my friend, Kristy's, beautiful wedding and my friend, Katie's, bachelorette party! Kristy was a stunning bride, and it was a gorgeous wedding. San Diego roommate, Emily, and I watched her get engaged, so it was really special to celebrate with her. It was a blast reuniting with high school friends at Katie's bachelorette party and having a fun night on the town with the girls. I was SO lucky to have Gami babysit Scarlett back at the hotel, my Mom is such a blessing to me. As we were driving back to Bend, we found out she won a BMW motorcycle that weekend too...pretty fantastic huh?!
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| The girls in on the road trip! |
Marie and I decided to make a last minute road trip down to San Diego with the girls! It was my biggest summer adventure!! I drove and Marie was the co-pilot and both girls really did great in the back seat of my Altima. We were able to spend 5 memorable days down in San Diego seeing family, friends, playing on the beach, going to SeaWorld and eating as much frozen yogurt as possible. My Aunt Pam is bravely fighting breast cancer, so it was just a blessing to see her in person and she loved seeing the girls. It's always special for Lexi and Scarlett to see their great-grandparents too, and I can honestly say that Marie and I had some major sister-bonding while on the trip. It will be a very special memory for us, and we have already forgotten how tired we were by the end...haha.
Anytime John leaves, I honestly feel like a part of me is gone too...we really only feel complete as a family. As a military wife, I know this is something I must get used to, but honestly am unsure if I ever will completely. But, in the end I think that's a good thing and it really makes me admire the women who deal with so much more separation from their spouse then I ever have. We celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary apart, but he did send me some beautiful flowers and a card, such a sweet man. I have a feeling this is not the last anniversary we will spend apart...
The end of July brought another amazing lake day on Long Lake, just about 10 minutes away from our house. We took advantage of the military discounts and rented a boat from Fairchild Airforce Base. My parents and Suzie and Kelly Phelps drove up to join the fun! We spent two fantastic days on the lake, again despite the fair weather...we tubed and waterskied, and the guys even spent a morning fishing before we joined them. John, Mom, Dad and I all got up on waterskis and my Dad rocked Kelly and John on some fun tube rides! Even through moments of rain, it was SO much fun and really made John and I dream about the day we can have a boat of our own. Scarlett again enjoyed the rides, and most of the time fell asleep quickly once the boat started. Suzie was a trooper and was a great flag girl, since she was preggo with Baby Claire and couldn't do the watersports. Another fantastic summer weekend which again made us also appreciate having two guestrooms to accommodate everyone...we are ALWAYS open for visitors. :-)
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| Gami with sleeping Scarlett on the boat |
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| Laura up on waterkis! |
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| The men on the boat, my Dad was the captain |
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| John up on water skis! |
We had some moments to relax and recuperate the beginning of August, then headed to Bend for Katie and Ryan's wedding weekend! Friday, August 13 we went to the rehearsal dinner and then out in downtown Bend with everyone after...loved having a night on the town with my man! My parents were so wonderful to babysit, and we really had a very fun night. Saturday was the fun wedding in Eagle Crest Resort, and I was so lucky to get all done up by Miss Chelsie. She drove in from Prineville to spend time with me and work her magic on my hair (which I loved)! John did some extensive beer tasting of all the local micro brews in Bend, and we managed to fit in some fun time on Sunday with my parents after all the wedding festivities. We are SO happy for Katie and Ryan Tiktin and I was honored to be apart of their special day!
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| Before the wedding with my girl... |
Sadly, the last two weekends of August were work weekends for John, so Scarlett and I relaxed and had fun playing together. Chelsie made a quick visit to Spokane for work, and what girl doesn't love having her best friend in town?? I am making some wonderful friends here, but nothing can replace the life-long friends. I am sure that is also something that other military wives can relate to. I did have a lunch to invite all the Marine wives in the unit over while the guys were working...three came. Haha, that is how small our Unit is here! But, we had a great time and it was obviously intimate which I felt allowed for great conversation. Moments like that make my heart long to be apart of the "Big Marine Corps" as John would say, but I realize that God placed us here for a reason. So, we will continue to make the best of it while in Spokane, and I am lucky to have really enjoyed the Marine wives and friends in the community that I have met here. One year down in Spokane, one or most likely two more left in this chapter of our lives.
Goodbye summer of 2010...thank you for FANTASTIC memories!
