February 16, 2015

WICKENBURG'S GOLD RUSH DAYS

Dear Kurt,

Besides the Fourth of July fireworks or eating a hotdog at a baseball game, nothing makes me feel more American than a carnival. Are carnivals even an American thing? I'm not sure. But there is something about spending a small fortune on deep fried, heart stopping, delicious food and then riding around in circles until the sun is long gone and you are sick that feels American to me.
 

Thursday afternoon we packed up the girls and the car and headed up to Wickenburg for their annual Gold Rush Days. 

Friday morning we headed out with your aunt and cousins to check out some old cars and see the gunslinger show.
 

It was already piping hot so we found some shade and watched as tow guys showed off their gun spinning and roping skills. I was impressed. Plus, it was kinda cool that they were on Americas Got Talent.
 
 
After that we bought ride wristbands for the girls and watched them go round and around all morning long. We stopped for some burgers and fry bread and then they were off again. 

 
The girls found a couple fun houses and we watched in hysterics as they tried to avoid obstacles. They weren't slowing down until miss Molly decided to pee all over herself so we packed up and headed back to Annette's to clean up and take naps. 

 
After naps it was all rides and carnival games and funnel cakes. Then we met your cousin, Mckinzie for dinner and then it was back to the carnival. 
 
 
When the sun set and the carnival was showing us in flickering lights of every color, we decided to take the girls on the Ferris wheel. It's what I have been waiting for all day. I was sure Brooklyn would be in heaven. Turns out, Ferris wheels might be scary. Brooklyn held on for her life and screamed things like "Why isn't there a seatbelt?! I don't like that's there isn't a seatbelt!!"
 
 
After that we headed back as our friends Kinzie and Clair were pulling up, ready to join us for the weekend. 
 
 
Saturday morning we all set out for the Gold Days Parade. Our girls sat on the curb and you, the Hawkins, and I camped out on the bed of Doug's truck. We all ate doughnuts and messed around till the parade began where we saw our fair share of horses and supported the local high schools bbq fundraiser. 
 

That afternoon, after the valentines lady doorbell ditched us enough candy and goodies to spoil us rotten, we followed Doug and Annette over to see several model homes in a new development. The homes where amazing, upgraded with every hoo hah and doo dad you could imagine and decorated to the nines. We were all very envious and I was already planning all the things I would do when we bought another house.

 
After that we left the girls at home with Annette and took Kinzie and Clair over to the carnival. We walked around and I ate deep fried Oreos and Kinzie snacked on chocolate covered strawberries. You and Clair tested your strength at the High Striker where you hit the bell twice and won us both crowns. 
 
 
That night we put the kids to bed down in the shop and when the rest of us made our way to bed we ended up sitting in the dark, whispering like school kids and playing jokes on each other. 

Sunday morning we went to sacrament meeting and then hung out. Annette made her famous homemade pizza and we all ate till we were too stuffed to move. After that we cleaned up, packed up, and said out sad goodbyes and till-next-times and we hit the road. Back to normal life. 

 
This weekend was one of those that makes you feel invincible. Like you can stop time and live in a state of bliss forever. It was sad to see it end but it was one for the books. One we will look back on from time to time and long for. 

I love you, Kurt. So much. 

Sincerely, Lori