Lancer Chokecherry Festival- Community Spirit!

Pat and I both grew up going to weddings in the town hall, fall suppers in the church basement, egg salad sandwiches and marshmallow squares, a group of ladies in the kitchen doing dishes and laughing, a group of fellas in ball caps visiting in the corner over a cup of coffee that was poured into a styro foam cup from of a 50 cup stainless steel urn.  A simpler time when generations would get together and the kids would run and play and the dance floor chasing balloons until someone would come out and put dance wax on the floor meaning it was too slippery for kids to run and play it was time for some two stepping and waltzing.

There were no cel phones or portable DVDs or Ipads to entertain just good old fashioned visiting, eating, dancing and later a midnight lunch so you could eat again. If you really needed to make a phone call there was a rotary dial phone in the kitchen and you may have only had to dial 4 numbers to get who you needed.

That is the feeling I got when we took the kids out to the kick off to the Lancer Chokecherry Festival.  There is just enough chill in the air to make coming into the hall even that much more welcoming.  As the door swings open you can hear the laughter and smell the chili and homemade buns. 

 The girls. 

The boys. 

 

 Dad and his helpers doing the draws for prizes. 

 Mini me. 

 A hall full enjoying coffee and Carrot Cake for dessert. 

 Winner Winner!

 The boys took it upon themselves to hold the door for everyone and say Goodbye!

 I am so glad that Pat works in so many unique towns.  Their traditions become part of our yearly traditions and we look forward to this lunch every year!  I know our kids will look back fondly on our road trips when Mom pulled them out of school!

Picnic Inn the Park

It had to be a recorder breaker.  Today's Innovation Credit Union Picnic in the Park had an 80s theme to celebrated the event's 30th birthday.  There were banana clips and back combed bangs everywhere.  I am sure it was the best attended and gave us the nicest weather of any of the Picnic in the Parks we have been to.  

Here is our crew that attended.  We were so lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit.  Grandma even wore an Innovation Green shirt by chance and Grandpa wore his black Innovation Golf shirt that he wore to beat Pat in their round of golf this morning!

The kids love visits from Grandparents and they were all here this weekend to watch the dance recital.  

 The kids all won the cool shades at the games.

 Ellie let me French braid her hair.

 So sweet holding onto Dad's hand.

 Someone told Levi that if he walked around with Ellie all the girls would stop and talk to him!

 Double fisting.  Try the orange.

 Hmmm which one next?

 Better keep it equal!

 Let's go wait in line for face painting.  I have to go to work at Subway in an hour.

She is pretty messy to hold when you are wearing a white shirt.  

Daphers is pretty hot in her fur coat.  

Finally it's not her putting makeup on herself.

 Have to get the butterfly since it's the Innovation logo.

 Ellie needs Kelsey as a buffer between her and Fat Cat!  Love him but from a distance.

 Grown up!

 Eight Eyes!

 Standing still in line is hard after all the treats!

 Waiting for the train.  Next in line.

 No parental supervision!

 And they made it back safe and sound.

 Pretty.

  Pat and I were 9 years old when they held the Credit Union hosted the first Picnic in the park.  Imagine in 30 years from now that we could be there with our 9 year old daughter and eating popsicles with who knows how many Grandkids????  Such awesome memories.

 Passed out on the way home.

 The end of another great Picnic in the Park.