I don't think anyone else remembers this

because I've checked everyone else's blogs today -- but, I graduated high school Ten Years Ago tonight -- on Eric Vicker's 18th Birthday. We were the last class to graduate from the civic center, all the following classes got to go to Murray(?) Coliseum -- and the smell of cow urine from when the Rodeo was in the same place as our 525 seats is still in my memory. I can't remember who I sat next to -- I wasn't in the top 25 so I was with the rest of the class alphabetically, but there was something about the choir kids - we had to get up and sing "To Thee CHS" - so I might have been next to Molly (I swear if you got concert choir together tomorrow and blew a whistle we'd be able to line up in alphabetical order in under 60 seconds). Anyway, here are two pictures I scanned -- enjoy!

me, mom, & dad

me, Mike, Doodle, Ranae

Derby Day Festivities

Before I get to the fun of yesterday, I have to mention that I ran for 60 minutes tonight!! I've never run more than 45 before - but that is NOTHING compared to what my sister-in-law Jenni did this morning -- she ran her first half-marathon! Way to go Jenni! 13.1 miles in 1:58:32 - that is so AWESOME!

Of course, the Cupcake Cuties were the official dessert sponsor of Rachael's Derby Party - we arrived at her house early to make Mint Julep Cupcakes (with bourbon in the batter and frosting! yipes!) We were really pleased with the end result.


Everyone else arrived a few hours before the derby to play the mini-derby Rachael had set up in her back yard. It was so much fun! I haven't laughed so hard in ages! Being the good school teacher that she is, Rachael had a scoreboard all ready to go, with start and finish lines marked by cones, and all kinds of fun little games planned. There was a three-legged race, a hula-hoop race, wheelbarrow race, etc. The funniest event of the afternoon was the dizzy bat race - you may remember this from Field Day in elementary school -- run to the bat, spin around 10 times with your forehead on the bat, run back to the start -- well, I am now sporting a small cut on my forehead from trying to run after spinning - I fell flat on my face right away! Pete was the best entertainment of the afternoon with his running/falling/running to win the dizzy bat race.



After it was all said and done, Emily won, Pete placed, and just about everyone else tied for show (except me - I was barely on the board, also reminiscent of elementary school, oh well). We were definitely all ready for food after that, so Sylvain fired up the grill and we ate and got ready to watch the derby. I drew Big Brown in our betting pool -- so I won $50! Yay!
After dinner and the Derby it was still nice outside so we played a round of croquet before going home. Rachael and Sylvain and Ann came over later and we played Wii MarioKart until we could barely hold our heads up. What a great day!