Darin and Julee's house

I got to thinking everyone hasn't seen where Darin and Julee live.

This is great view from up on the rocks behind their home. Darin finished their swimming pool almost two years ago. They have such great views of the valley and are right up again BLM property so hopefully they will never have neighbors behind them.

For those of you who know Bryce and Kathy their home is the one just below Darin's.

Makenna's Soccer Game

Last night we went to see Makenna play soccer up in Farmington. We were surprised how good she did. The little girl on the left with her elbow up was something else. She was better than any of the boys on both teams. It was sure fun to watch you play Makenna. We'll see you next week.

Makenna after the game.

My 55th Class Reunion, FUN, FUN, FUN

My 55th high school reunion was held in Denver from September 17 to 21, 2008. I graduated from South High School on June 2, 1953 which was the same day as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of England. My dad bought a TV and it was delivered the day before the coronation so we could see it on TV. That was the first TV we ever had.

We only attended the first two days which were in Denver. The last two days were held in Estes Park, Colorado. Words don't describe how much fun it was to see so many friends from the past. Because my hair is white people don't seem to recognize me and that really worried me but to my surprise they did remember me. I know Don didn't enjoy it as much as I did but at least Vern was there to keep him company.

On our way into Denver from the airport we took a quick tour through downtown Denver. This is the Union Station where both Don and Vern worked from time to time while they were stationed in Denver. They served as MP's in the Army. This is the old Denver train station and they spent a lot of hours here checking military passes and making sure the service men weren't causing problems. They also had a beat where they went into bars in the downtown area to check on the soldiers. Don also rode trains from Denver to Pocatello and back also checking to make sure the soldiers had passes. He volunteered for this after I moved with my mother and family to Pocatello. We moved in August 1954 and were married on February 4, 1955.

Poor Pat. She had choir practice most of Wednesday while we had fun going to the museum. Sure wish she could have been with us.

Don, Vern and I went to City Park to the Museum of Nature and Science.

Beverlee and Don with Denver skyline in the background.

Vern and Don

Skyline of Denver from City Park.

More of the 55th--Museum

I sure hope that my children remember going to this museum when they see these pictures. We took them a lot when when we would go to Denver. My parents began taking me to the Museum of Natural History when I was a very little girl. I still love it as much as I ever did. The following dioramas are taken inside the museum. The polar bear diorama has been my favorite since I was a little girl and it still is. I just wish I could have gotten all of the bears in the picture.

Walrus

Arizona desert

More 55th--Bus tour

On Thursday morning the committee had arranged for a bus tour to see all of the elementary and junior high schools any of has attended that eventually went to South High. This is Asbury Elementary School which I attended all through elementary.

This is Byer's Junior High which I attended for a year and a half. I started at Grant Junior High but we moved and I changed to Byers. My mother attended both Byers and South High also.

We stopped at the Bonnie Brae Tavern for lunch. They had the best pizza I had ever tasted. I forgot to say that we had two busses with 90 people that went on the bus trip.

At our table front row L to R: Don, Beverlee, Vern and the back of Arlene D's head.

Other side of the table: Don and Marelene, Dougie and Eloise . Marlene, Dougie, Eloise and I were all in the same Girl Scout Troop and went to Asbury together.

After lunch we saw some of the things we remembered about Denver. This is our big time rival, East High School.

This building is downtown. This is a huge blue bear that is looking into the 7th or 8th floor window. Notice the man walking buy in the foreground of the picture. I am sorry about the reflection in the bus window. It makes is hard to see the bear clearly.

More 55th--end of bus tour and memorial service

The Bonnie Brae Tavern. This is where we had lunch with our classmates while we are on the bus tour. We had the choice of hamburgers or pizza. Of course, Don chose a hamburger--no surpise there--and I had pizza. It was the best pizza I have ever had. I found out later that they are known for their Pizza.

The Bonnie Brae Ice Cream Parlor and it is my favorite place to have ice cream. Actually, my favorite was the Purity Creamery on Logan and Spear where I loved to have cherry ice cream sodas. They were the best. We ate ice cream two evenings here. You should see the lines of people who still line up out the door and down the block to have ice cream. I could have gone every night to have ice cream but didn't dare mention after we went the second time.

Our favorite place to eat is just down the street from the Bonnie Brae Ice Cream Parlor. It is the Saucy Noodle and has the best Italian food we have ever had. Every time we go to Denver we eat there at least once. The have a sign I just love. It says, "IF YOU DON'T LIKE GARLIC STAY HOME". I just remembered that the reason we didn't go have more ice cream is because we had Spamoni ice cream at the Saucy Noodle. So ice cream three out of four nights isn't too bad.

THE MEMORIAL SERVICE

The memorial service was held at the Washington Park Luthern Church. Quite a few of our classmates attended this church and were married there. The acapella choir sang ten songs including "Let Us Break Bread Together" which was always sang at the end of the choir programs as they marched out of the auditorium. And again this is what they did. As always the music was beautiful and only after a day and a couple of hours of practice. Amazing!!!

There were several talks and at the end they read the names of all of the classmates that had passed on. A flower for each person was added to make an arrangement. I went up for my friend, Mary Louise Emmert Catlett. She and I had been best friends all during high school. She died in an automobile accident in Hawaii.

After the ceremony we went into a cultural hall for refreshements and more visiting. It was a great evening and nice to think about those who have died.

After the 55th--Our private party and Red Rocks

After the memorial service we went back to the Dougie's hotel room for a big party. You can see how big the party was. Dougie had snacks and drinks. Thanks Dougie. Don and Vern had already gone to bed, the big sackrats, so that is why they aren't in the picture.

Left to right: Nancy and John, Marlene and Don.

Nancy, Beverlee and Dougie

Marlene, Nancy, Dougie and Beverlee. Darn, we didn't get a picture of Pat. What were we thinking?

Vern and Don's bum at Red Rocks

The Red Rock Ampetheater.

After the 55th--A day with Marlene ,Dougie and Pat in Bailee, CO

After we went to Red Rocks we drove up to Bailey, Colorado a little over an hour from Denver. Bailey is a mountain town and that is where Marlene and Don live. Dougie stays with them whenever she goes to Denver. Marlene had lunch ready and waiting for us. After lunch we walked up to the coy pond on their property. We enjoyed renewing our friendships.

Marlene and Don were classmates at South High School.

Marlene, Dougie and Beverlee. Marlene and I have been friends since 1st grade. Dougie moved to Denver when we were in 3rd grade. We all went to Asbury Elementary together.

Marlene, Dougie, Pat and Beverlee. At the time we started school that had A and B classes. Because our birthdays were after January 1st we were in the A class and we started school late in January. I could have finished high school in January because I had all of my credits but I loved the social part of school so I went three hours in the morning and worked all afternoon at the Denver Dry Goods a department store downtown.

Before we left to go home Marlene played some of the old songs we loved. Thanks for the wonderful concert Marlene. We could have listened to her play all day.

After the 55th--Central City & Buffalo Bills Grave

On Saturday we took another drive up into the mountains. Pat and Vern hadn't been to Central City or Black Hawk so we drove over there. This is the famous Central City Opera House in Central City, Colorado. They still have musical theater productions in the summer.

Pat was really good at taking pictures of our "rears". We are looking at Buffalo Bill's grave on Lookout Mountain.

Giddy up! Just wish this was a real horse. This was inside the Buffalo Bill Museum.

Remembering the GOOD OLE DAYS at Carmacks!

Darin sent this picture of the orignal Spudnut Shop coffee mugs. In 1953 when Grandpa Carmack bought the shop these were the cups and saucers that were used. When we could no longer get them they started using the mugs you all remember and washed that didn't have a saucer. This sure brings back alot of memories. Thanks alot, Darin, for sending this for everyone to enjoy.

More Steamy Pics of the Family Reunion 2008

The food was delicious

and all of the guys had PLENTY to eat.
The highlight of the reunion was the raffle. Makes you wonder about your relatives, when the person that helped make the quilt, and was in charge of selling the tickets, won the PRIZE.

Seems like maybe it was rigged, but whatever.

This is Sarah. She is the youngest member of our family. Last year her mom, Laurie, was big and fat at the reunion. (sorry, I mean that in the nicest way) Sarah was named after Grandma Sarah. She is just so cute!!!

This is Nicole looking for some action. Silly Nicole. Don't you realize that you are surrounded by cousins, and that you are not in Idaho???

It was great to see everybody. Hopefully more can make it next year. And thanks Kevin and Tiffany for hosting the reunion in your wonderful yard. See ya next year.

Family Reunion September 6, 2008

Thanks to everybody who attended the Family Reunion. We had a great time and missed those who weren't able to come. We got down-right wild!! (just look at our ring-leaders!!) This is the picture of the whole fam damnly. When I am able to retrieve my pictures from my other computer, I will post the picture from last year, too. Our numbers were a lot less this year, but we still had a great time.
Everybody had a great time getting re-acquainted again......

Some even got to know their own kids better.

My Computer is not cooperating.... So I will continue this post later. Stayed tuned for more fabulous and revealing photos!