I had a nice surprise! Yesterday morning, Jennifer called and invited Eric and Anita to go fishing. We went to Spring Valley Reservoir. It was a GORGEOUS day!!! It was heaven being out today, since I spent most of the summer in a camera bag :o)
Now, THIS is the life! Two kids, a dog, and a fishing hole. Does it get better than this?
Carmel Spike: "The summer was jam-packed with exciting adventures but it's nice to be back in Moscow and chilling with friends like James. He might take me to 2nd grade soon. I hear Mrs. Pancheri's classroom is very educational. James tells me the chase game is so last-year for recess and tag is where it's at for recess action. I can't wait to see what adventures await for the fall. Please, oh please, tell me quilt camp is coming soon."
Carmel Spike: "Ah, fair time. Who doesn't love the fair? Coeur d'Alene hosts a mean fair and I enjoyed introducing Obi Won to the delights of huckleberry ice cream, flying airplane rides, quilt display (again with the quilts), and oddly shaped vegetables. We attended with our friends visiting from Seattle."
The family fun farm was THE place to see and be seen. Cliff, James, and little Jade dominated the sand action with some new friends.
Jennings and Carmel Spike toured the Fire and Police Safety fair and learned a lot.
Carmel Spike: "I repeat. Who plans a whole trip around a quilt show? Not that the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilter's doesn't put on a mean show. But Mary is paying me not to mention to her husband that she didn't make it to the quilt show until the last day of the trip.
Carmel Spike: "Ah the wonder of shopping at a quilt show. Rows and rows of vendors. It was heaven." 
Carmel Spike: "Oh, yes, we did see quilts as well. Here the girls are tormenting me with a little quilted animal action. Noted trends seen at this year's show included micro quilting, quilts from recycled fabrics, religious themes, and flowers galore. The new venue at the Washington State Convention Center was great. See you in 2 years at the next APNQ!"
Carmel Spike: "Part of my duties include holding Mary's hand as she visited 1431 10th Street West in Kirkland where she grew up. Grant and Nancy downsized a couple of years ago and sold the house. New owners recently demolished the house and are building their dream house. We snuck in one evening to check out the site and snoop around." 
Carmel Spike: "The front lawn is being used as a staging area for equipment but the view of the lake remains beautiful."
Carmel Spike: "What is it with Mary and her fondness of living with mega-driveways?"
Carmel Spike: "I was extremely honored to be invited along on Mary's Seattle solo adventure. Here I am helping her navigate the 520 bridge. Not bad traffic for the day. We were in Seattle for 4 nights to see friends, eat ethnic food, shop, and attend a quilt show. Who plan's an entire trip around a quilt show?"
Carmel Spike: "Life staying at Grant and Nancy's Mondo Condo was really roughing it as you can see here. The views of downtown Kirkland and Lake Washington are spectacular. But you have to close the windows at night because when the bars let out the noise level is equally spectacular."
Carmel Spike: "This was the only non-ethnic meal I saw Mary consume the entire trip. Take-out from the Juanita Spud Fish and Chips establishment. The homemade tartar sauce and garlic vinegar really make the dish. Mmmmm. Who knew dinosaurs like fish?"
Peace and quiet was not actually achieved for the rest of us. Despite the trusty babysitter, Alyssa, the remaining children were bound and determined to make up for missing siblings.
Yes, Carmel Spike and Obi Won joined the Shooks in June to travel to Indiana to meet up with a lot more Shooks. The grand occasion was Gail and Jim's 50th wedding anniversary party and we were all happy to help celebrate. Pictured here are Grandpa and Grandma with all their grandkids.
Obi Won: "In a state far, far away from Idaho, three friends contemplated settling down to the rural life. They find a cosy cabin and learn to drive a Gator."
Captain America: "Ah, this is the life. Beats living on the armoire anyday."
Carmel Spike: "I feel the love surrounding us."
Carmel Spike was fascinated by the hottest in Indiana lawn art - concrete geese that you dress up according to whim, season, and weather. There are entire flea market stalls devoted to outfitting these creatures so when it rains you have a yellow slicker to put on them, when it's the 4th of July you have a red, white and blue bikini to outfit them with, and a wide assortment of Halloween costumes. Carmel Spike: "It's like a mini Project Runway every day."
Uncle Mike is so cool he organized a Shook family excursion on Saturday night to Gary, Indiana. The entire drive was filled with outbursts from the Music Man soundtrack. There we went to a minor, minor, minor League Baseball game. The thrilling Gary Wildcats were great fun. 
INTRODUCING - CAPTAIN AMERICA - A NEW FRIEND
Back to the origins of Steve Shook. Here is Grace with the gang at the family lake behind the house. Steve spent many an hour growing up fishing. It is still one of his favorite things to do when returning home and now Grace, James and Jennings are all addicted as well. Mary will bait the fishing poles (well, worms not crickets) and untangle lines.
Grace borrowing Uncle Mike's runabout to drive the gang around the lake. The family house is in the background. Uncle Mike now owns the house and Grandma and Grandpa Shook live next door.
"What happened, boys?" Carmel Spike
"Quiet your mind. Feel the force all around you." Obi Won doing some meditation.
Our June trip to Indiana was the 16th through the 23rd. On Thursday night we went to visit Steve's brother in nearby Kouts. They have a lovely old farmhouse.
Elaina is an amazing gardener and her work to create an English garden is awesome. Great garden tour enjoyed by all.
Mike: (groan) Dude, what just happened? I feel like I've been tossed around in some sort of dark bag. Then, all of a sudden there was a blinding light, and I ended up here. And, what is with this big scar on the back of my head? Wait, a minute... feeling groggy, have scar... ALIEN, you implanted a chip in my brain!
Alien: Here I am at Hoorah. We had a great weekend filled with horseshoe tournaments, cribbage, dancing, and lots of drinking. Too back Mike and I were still trying to get over the last few weeks to enjoy a good brew.
What the... what is that thing? Look to the side- it's a skunk cap... a dead skunk on top of a baseball cap... whoever gets skunked in cribbage has to wear the hat. This was taken when the skunk was "on break" and enjoying Anita's Mojito.
