Summer Potluck

As we were preparing for our annual summer potluck we kept a close eye on the weather.  After the many storms we have had recently, we were a bit concerned when the weekend forecast called for possible rain and storms.  Friday morning we made the decision to go ahead with our scheduled Saturday event.  The horribly high humidity made the hot temperatures feel even hotter as we scurried around cleaning, cooking, and prepping.  And then, around 4:00 pm Saturday, a Tornado Watch was issued for our area.  "Are you kidding me??", we thought!  :)  But, all went well and though it stayed hot and humid, a nice breeze kicked in and all storms slid north of us.  We enjoyed an evening with good friends, tasty food, and beautiful skies.

The only downside, and boy was it a downside, was that there turned out to be a wasp nest hidden in the top of the big green slide on the playset.  :(  We just felt horrible that two kids were stung!!  Thankfully, both were okay and we had a nurse and also a pharmacy tech in attendance at the potluck.  Both of those wonderful ladies immediately jumped in to help care for the stings by slathering baking soda paste all over them.  Thankfully, the kids were back to playing soon (a big serving of chocolate cake helped at least one of them!) and Jackson was able to get into the slide to kill the wasps.  Whew.  Not the memory I want kids to be making at our home.  :(

One very special surprise came near the end of the evening.  As I was talking with folks I happened to look up just in time to see Victor arrive!!  I had felt just awful because Victor's going away party had been scheduled (unbeknownst to me) for the very same evening and time at another location in town.  I hated that we couldn't get out there to wish Victor well as he returns home to France after spending the last year here in our town as part of the Rotary student exchange program.  I was SO glad that Tyler brought him out to see us and give us a chance to say good-bye!!  It just made my night!  We have certainly enjoyed getting to know this fine young man over the past year.

Below are several photos from the evening, but you can see an entire album of photos by clicking here.

Von (who brought the yummy pulled pork!) and Debbie

Nancy and Donna - sisters!  :)

Megan and Julie

Patrick, Bertha, Adrien, Theresa

Elaine and Glen

Dane and Dustin

Elizabeth and Mike

Alex, Nancy, Bryce, Shannon 

4 fantastic fellas!  Jeff, Jackson, Adrian, Jonathan 

Todd and Beth

Marvin and Chester

Laura and Julie - sisters!  :)

Krista, Bryan, Emily, Gita, Beth

Jeff and Megan 

Jackson, Chase, Allison, Jonathan 

Chris and Lynae

Carolyn, Mama, Kathy 

Barry and Lynae

Victor and Daddy 

Laura, Janet, Lora, Kendra

Chad, Kendra, Chase

Jonathan, Victor, Tyler

Daddy, Denese, Gary 

Janet, Jon, Allison, Lora

the storms skirted north of us

Beth, Jay, Barry, Lynae

Dane and his grandpa!

 Bill, Kathy, Daddy