My mom has always loved a good walk. I remember her asking me to go on walks with her often. I am sure I would roll my eyes or something, but always go, and always enjoy it by the end. I remember trying to keep up with her long gait. The whole time the saying "lengthen your stride, lengthen your stride" going through my head. But it seemed that no matter how hard I tried to keep up, I always had to "trot" every so often to catch up. She would coax me to go just a little longer, saying, "lets just see whats around the next bend". While I was sure it was probably just a big dog waiting to chase me, she was always the "observer". She never failed to find something interesting on every walk that anyone else would have easily missed. Whether it was the "smiling barn", the "love tree" or naming every wildflower, and picking one to "press" when we got back to the cabin. So thank you mom for walking with me. And by doing so teaching me how to "lengthen my stride" just alittle longer, and take the time to notice the things that really matter! This walk was for you!
My cousin Ashley called me up and told me she was organizing a team to walk in the MS Walk in Boise. I was so touched that she would go to the trouble, and effort to support, and in a sense, honor my mom with this walk. It meant so much, and was such a wonderful opportunity for my little family to reunite with many of the Plant aunts, and cousins we have been some what out of touch with due to our "globe trotting in recent years. Here are the Plant sisters saying "this one's for you Connie!"
Here are the kids posing for Aunt Priscilla. It was really cold, but they all wanted to show off their shirts. Emily, Jack and Sam on the back row, then Brooklyn, Jareds oldest, and Addison, Ashley's oldest. In front of Emily and Jack is Kendall, Ashley's second daughter. Emily looks so "mature" next to everyone else, it's alittle reality check to me. She is growing up so fast!
The kids and I attempting a "photo finish" The walk was just that, a very low key walk, which was perfect for the kids. I only had to break out the "crazy legs" when I heard Ashley calling for Addison, who was on her new bike. I spotted her way up ahead, away from the group. So I ran after her, only to find that Bernie was right on her tail, and I probably just embarassed my self more than anything. Oh well, there is just something about a mother calling for her child that brings out the "mother bear" in me, and I have to find that child NOW!
I couldn't resist taking a picture of Heather, taking a picture. This was just one of many that she took. As always, she documented the event with an entire roll of film. Just like old times. We love you Heather! Don't ever change!
As you can see in above pictures, Ashley made sure everyone had team shirts. She was worried when I talked to her, that she hadn't gotten any for my kids because she didn't know they were walking. But I just got some white t-shirts and had them make their own the night before. They had alot of fun doing it, and I think they turned out great! We love you Grandma!
Ok, funny think happened Tuesday morning. I get home from taking Emily to school and there's a message from Blake. He's all excited about this Styx, Reo Speedwagon, and Def Lepard concert he heard about on the radio, and could I find out when and where. So I look it up on the internet, and the concert is that night in Nampa, at the Idaho Center. So I call Blake back to break the news that it's not going to happen. Then he tells me about how he mentioned that he really wanted to go to this concert, and his United Rental rep was standing there and said "let me see if I can get you tickets for that". To make a long story short (who am I kidding this is still a long story) we end up with 5 (free) tickets to this concert, in Nampa, on a school night (no hopes of a babysitter, especially for that long... right?). But it is amazing what you can accomplish when you really want to do something. So we conned Blake's dad into watching the kids, and found 3 other people to share the tickets with. My cousin Ashley and her husband Travis said they would go. I had called our friends the Moore's next door to see if they wanted to go, but her husband had early meetings in the morning and didn't want to be out so late (what a grown-up!). So I thought Stephanie wouldn't go either, but she was totally still willing to go. She is hilarious! 37, but just keeps getting younger instead of older. Gotta Love It! Anyway, it was pretty tight picking up Blake on are way, and getting to Nampa in time. We met up with Travis and Ashley at the Idaho Center. Styx, and Reo Speedwagon were good. Their sound was still the same, and Stephanie and Ashley and I picked out all the "stake dance songs" they played.
Then they started gearing up for Def Lepard and there was a completely different VIBE in the audience. The crowd started to roar even more in anticipation. The people watching alone was beyond entertaining, and there was a lot more "skin" walking around (if you get my drift) than earlier. They gave a good concert. I mean, how can you not love the one armed drummer! He was by far the most impressive. They said something about recovering from a cold, and you could tell their voices were pretty "weak", but still a blast. I have never seen so many accomplished "air guitar" players in one audience. Facinating! It was fun to let loose a little, and have some fun (on a Tuesday night no less). Due to the insane! alcohol consumption we observed many around us indulging in, we left alittle early to beat the crazys out of the parking lot. We had to leave right as they started "Pour Some Sugar on Me". Steph and I embarassed Blake, I am sure, by singing along all the way out into the parking lot. So there you have it. The "prude" of the family went to a Def Lepard concert!!! Go figure!
