My BCF (Best Cousin Forever)

This picture was taken on Thanksgiving Day of 1990...so long ago. Every time I come across this picture it makes me smile so much. My cousin, Lindsey, and I were at our Grandma and Grandpa's house for the holiday. In fact, now that I think back on it, this may have been the last time my Dad's whole family got together for Thanksgiving!!! My Grandpa had recently purchased one of those chairs that is motorized to lift up and actually put you into a standing postition (or he may have "inherited" it from my great grandpa...I don't know). We were obviously having a great time playing with the chair...we are laughing SO hard!!! Lindsey and I sure do have some great memories together and I feel like this picture captures that in the best possible way...don't get me wrong, we had our fair share of fights, but my memories with her are the ones that dominate my childhood. Thanks Linds...us Hussey girls sure do know how to have a good time:)!!!

And....by the way.... for those of you who are wondering...yes, that is a banana clip in Lindsey's hand, and yes, I have hammer pants on with a totally awesome vest to match!!! Total 90's!!!!

Sand in the City

Yesterday, Richie and I had planned on heading downtown Olympia for the annual Sand in the City event. It had been a couple years since we went to this event, so we were really looking forward to going...Richie even got out of bed before noon!!!! We had a nice and relaxing day:). We had only been there for about 20 or 30 minutes when we ran into Richie's other brother James, with his family. Which was great because I have been wanting to get a few pictures of them...they never get family pictures!!!

Kailani was so excited to see us and show off her painted face!! Running into us also worked in her favor because she was able to get a shoulder ride from Uncle Chris.

Yes, this really was on one of the sand sculptures!!! Slightly inappropriate for this family event...we probably looked more ridiculous taking pictures of it, but we were in utter shock!!!

At the other end of the boardwalk, down by Capital Lake, there was another annual Olympia event...Hemp Fest. We didn't know that this was going on, but we kept hearing people talking about it through Sand in the City, so we decided to walk down and see what was going on. There were a bunch of vendors selling various items, bongs, pipes, tie die clothing, etc.... However, this vendor was by far the most interesting. We were walking by and Richie had to stop because he had never seen anything like this and wondered out loud, "What are these for?" The vendor responded with, "A little somthin' for the ladies." We were cracking up!!!

It was actually really fun to go to Hemp Fest. There were some really good food vendors, fun music, and GREAT people watching. Very entertaining!!!

We had a great, relaxing day walking around Olympia...perfect end to a very nice weekend.

All Fluked Up--Rib Cook Off

The second annual All Fluked Up Rib Cook Off was yet another success!!! It was a day that started very early for some of the entries. Those that were smoking their ribs showed up at the Fluke manor about 7:30 am to get the ribs going. Judging was a four o'clock and if your ribs weren't on the table, then you were disqualified. Thankfully, there was only one disqualification this year, due to the need for canning tuna, or so he says. Brent's ribs were only 10 minutes late, but the judging table was already closed.

It ended up being a very long, fun, and eventful day and night. However, the killer hangover I had the next day was not so fun. Even if you are not entering your ribs, the cook off is a great time for all and there is great food!!!

Here is one of the judges, Dustin, during the judging process...all business, as you can see. All of the judges, with their score sheets, and the ribs in front of them.

Lauren and Marie entered their ribs this year...this was the first time either of them had cooked ribs before. However, they were able to walk away with an award...lucky first timers!!!

Tom gave the kids tractor rides. Kylee obviously was not enjoying this and quickly exited the tram:). As he drove them past all of the people he would announce what was going on and what they were seeing...kind of like Northwest Trek. It was really cute.

"Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys"

For those of you who know Eli, know how funny this is. He is probably the farthest thing from a cowboy, but putting on that hat makes any man feel a little bigger:).

It was a great day filled with events for people of all ages. This year was a little more extravagant than last year, and the plans have already started for next year. I am linking the whole album to the blog.

Scotty's senior pics

So, I was given the opprotunity to take my cousin's senior pictures yesterday. It was so much fun and he was a great sport, letting me pose him and take some real close up pictures. I know I posted a lot of pictures with this blog, but there were so many good ones that it was hard for me to choose which ones to show all of you. I can't imagine how hard it will be for my aunt, uncle, and cousin to decide which pictures to put in frames and which one for the yearbook!!! I am so greatful that they let me do his pictures, and I will soon be doing his friend's pictures as well and then pictures of my cousin, Sarah, and her horse. It is so fun:)!!

Just Cruisin'

My niece, Natalya, recently turned 5 on July 23rd. For months, she has been telling everyone that she wants the Barbie Mustang. Sure enough, on her birthday there was the mustang waiting for her. She was so excited and told me "all my friends are going to be jealous because I have a car and they have to ride their bikes!!" So cute...

Here is a picture of Nats and Uncle Richie...who she absolutely adores!! Cruisin' around...she told me that "red means you go backward, yellow means that you go slow, and green means that you go really, really fast. I don't like to go really, really fast because I get scared." It was so funny. She thinks she is such an adult now:).

This one cracked me up!! It is like she is crossing the finish line...