Second Grade Friends...

Ron and Mick have been friends

since second grade.

They played sports together.

They attended high school together,

Drove cool cars together,

worried their mothers with their

motorcycle trips together,

went to BYU together-

and then went on missions,

got married and moved away from home.

not together.....

But, second-grade friends are special--

and with the help of the internet,

arrangements were made to meet up

when Mick and Joni's son

was married in the Seattle temple--

Generous friends, they invited us to

spend the weekend with them and their

family at their parent's lakeside home.

We jumped at the chance...

So here we are Ron, Karen, Joni and Mick

I think we look pretty good......

(and don't you add, "for your age"!)

But age did not stop us this weekend--

Ron took on the choppy water and

conquered the lake!

Mick tried wake boarding for the first time--

bad knee (old wrestling injury)

and all--great form!!

Joni also water-skied,

but I forgot to record the event--

Mick took videos though!!

Alas, I never mastered the sport--

but,

I am almost a professional

in the "red flag"--man-down

and photographer duty!

I did go sailing in a Hobie Cat

for the first time--loved it!

The guys said we didn't need all

those extra ropes--

but we soon realized that we

did need that

"toggle thing"!

Once all the pieces were put together

we flew across the lake--

amazing feeling.

(ok, I will be honest,

I am the one sitting down,

holding on for dear life,

Jamie, Mick and Joni's daughter,

is the one bravely standing

and waving!)

Another beautiful day on the lake,

Ron wakeboarding

water was like glass--

for awhile.....

Here's Ron again,

and Ron again,

(ok, I kind of like my husband

and enjoy seeing him perform)

Here's Jamie, jumping the wake--

Mick, slaloming

Then they pulled out the jet skis--

It has been about 30 years since

I actually drove one.

I have ridden behind with

Ron at the wheel--

but not on my own.

But I did it!!

After trying one with a dead battery

and one that kept dying-

I felt like maybe I was "cursed"

and should not be allowed

to have so much power

beneath me--

but then they found one that was just right--

and I did it--

And I realized---- I liked going fast--

but I didn't really like turning circles--

Ron said that will come with practice...

practice....

oh, no-- I see another "toy"

being added to our belongings!!

I thought I got a photo of me

on the jet ski to prove to the world

that I had actually driven one--

but it must have been on Joni's camera--

but really, I did do it--

I have witnesses!!

But I did get some

jet skiing photos

(of Ron, of course)

Just a blur, speeding by.....

and just like when they were on bikes,

cool cars and

fast motorcycles,

here's Ron and Mick

racing away!!

Thanks Mick and Joni

(and Gus and Janet--Joni's parents)

we had a great time!!

And are grateful for friends like you.

I moved around so much growing up

that unfortunately,

I don't know where my

second grade friends are--

susan porter, terri swank, linda gridley

hope life has treated you well--

and oh, von wells,

I wonder what ever happened to him....