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
