7th Annual Karlen Fireworks Show

Last year I wrote that there was some drama with the fireworks show so it appears that we are keeping that part of the tradition alive as well this year. Fortunately, T-man came around and D-man also rounded the corner after the intermission. The kids didn’t have a spreadsheet this year, but really didn’t need it as they did a great job taking turns and keeping up the firework variety. D-man is still battling a fever so it has been a super rough week. And from the Peavy archives, it appears this is the 7th annual show. I think the kids might be out growing this part, but I tried to remind them how this little gesture can mean a lot to the people attending. 

After breakfast at Popo’s with Mom, Dad, Jaima, Dennis and T-man, we got ready and headed down to the Felber cabin. The kids had fun and I had a nice time catching up with everyone. D-man said more than once that he was glad he rallied and that everyone was very nice. I completely agree. 

My Breakfast Date 

All the kiddos 

The Moms 

Chilling at the lake 

Pender Times

I’m always amazed at how much we can fill out days and run out of time to do things when we are in Pender. And yet, it happens every year. We’re still hoping to get to Ash Falls... I suppose having a kid laid up with a fever for four days doesn’t help. 

We’ve gone to Popo’s, bought fireworks, watched soccer, gone to the the doctor, driven the motor home around in the country in efforts to “de-poop” it, found a disc golf course, and lit off rockets (organized by my amazing sister) in honor of a long-time teacher (and friend of my Mom’s) who is currently in hospice. And now, we get to celebrate the 4th as we have for several years with a show put on by the kids. 

Lighting off fireworks with friends 

Annual trek to West Point for fireworks thanks to Pop 

Country roads, take me home 

Happy hour on the road - we think the process is working!! 

Poor D-man not feeling well 

Tight fairways! So fun to try out this course! 

Hole 9 

Jaima getting ready to be interviewed for the local news station 

#rocketsforcorky - way to go sis! Such a nice tribute arranged in only 2 days! 

Some of the crowd that came out to watch the rocket launch 

A great reminder 

Life in a Small Town

It’s been a busy (and hot) alumi weekend in Pender. We arrived from Hastings around 6:30 on Friday night and were able to grab dinner uptown. Thanks to Mom and Dad’s anniversary picture in the paper, there were several anniversary wishes bestowed upon them. 

My high school friend Steve and I had a drink at home and then headed up to the dance. We weren’t planning on staying long, but ended up until the end representing the class of 1991. 

On Saturday, we went to the school for omelettes and a tour and hit the pool for a good part of the afternoon as well as a lot of time on scooters, flickers and the like. When Jacki and Sean went to the banquet, we hung back with the kids and spent more time outside. 

Sunday started out with breakfast at the airport and then the parade and a bit of time in the park. There was also a mean game of sprinkler soccer in the backyard on Sunday afternoon. We even managed to get everybody around the table for dinner for a short time. 

It was a nice weekend, but we missed the majority of the Geisert family. Thankfully, we will have time with them over the next week. 

Up late on main street! 

Nana and her granddaughter out for a walk with the dogs 

Cousin time 

D-man on gravel roads 

This is what a traffic jam looks like in Pender 

The start of the parade 

Class of ‘99 throwing out candy 

Checking out the old cars 

The boys and the old tractors 

The half page spread in the Pender Times 

Cousins

We were fortunate to have the boys’ cousin stay with us this week. She arrived on Monday afternoon and we had a casua BBQ. They spent all of Tuesday at Elich’s Amusement Park (taking the bus there and back). On Wednesday, they slept in late and then we headed to the mountains for a hike (which didn’t go exactly go as planned, but was still nice). We then at lunch at Snarf’s and then walked Pearl Street mall in Boulder. On Thursday, they had breakfast downtown and grabbed Sweet Cow ice cream. 

Every night they headed to the pool after it closed which they thought was cool. They got along really well and hopefully, we showed her a bit of our Louisville life. 

A pit stop on our mountain adventure 

The “park” in Jamestown 

Yum! 

Hanging on Pearl Street 

Road Trippin’

 It’s different for a couple reasons

1. D-man is driving 
2. There are three kids in the car
3. I’m not working (duly noted that I wasn’t working last year when we drove either) 
4. We listened to a great deal of rap music 
5. T-man had his hair done

Nebraska passport stop 

Pender for the win! 

Ultreia

After T-man headed to camp and I dropped off D-man and his cousin at the bus (to take down to Elich’s for the day), I headed down to Denver for a day of adulting. 

First. I met a former coworker for coffee and then met a different coworker a couple blocks away for lunch. So fun to try out some new places in the Highlands. Then, I went downtown near Union Station for an interview. After wrapping up around 3:15, I chatted with Marshall and we arranged happy hour at ultreia in Union Station. 

It was great to sit outside and try some yummy gin and tonics on the happy hour menu. While I was walking around downtown, I found a saying that pretty much sums up where I am right now. And then, learning what ultreia means. - what a perfect spot for our date. Onward! 

Fun patio with fountains