We ran away last week, Gabby and I, and we dragged a few of our favorite people with us, they didn't have much of a choice, we forced them, I promise!  Fortunately, they didn't seem to mind to much!!  Gabby decided that since she will be 18 soon, and legal to do aaaallll kinds of things without my permission (a fact she reminds me of often.) that we needed to run away one last time before adulthood struck.  So we loaded up the car with 4 girls, 1 mom, and all of our stuff, amazing how much we need for a two day trip!   

I am embarrassed to say that despite a rather uneventful drive, we didn't even have to deal with rush hour traffic until right before our exit. And only then because there had been an accident that they were clearing, the damage did not look bad, so hopefully all involved were ok.  Despite that, poor Jessie was startled awake by my sailor mouth when not one, not two, but three cars all decided that they wanted into the lane that I was merging into, and did they use a single turn signal between the three of them?  No, nary a one, stupid drivers, anyways, sorry Jessie, that was very unladylike of me, although, I don't think I have ever claimed to be a lady, sooooo.  Anyway, not the point.    So our first stop was to see the show 'Fame', it was well done, but, the best part was that one of my favorites starred in it, so much fun to surprise Natale after with a hug and flowers!  

After the show we found our local diner for some pie, breakfast, and hot chocolate.  We found new nicknames for each other, and laughed so hard we were crying...... then it was off to find our beds, the girls struggled with this for some reason.........

Poor Callie is being smothered by Gabby........

Eventually they did get settled, at 2, am, but hey who was keeping track of the time?  Not us, we were on vacation.  When we finally started moving Friday morning, yes it was still morning, barely, but morning nonetheless. We did a little shopping at one of the birthday girls favorite spots, fortunately for her fathers wallet, she likes a bargain. She loves to scour the racks at Ross, and then we hit DSW.  Julie even got me to try on a hat, and pose for a photo, journal moments there people, just sayin!

And then the fun really started Lagoon, here comes trouble, to go, in a four pack!! Who knew?!?

So we set off to ride the rides, we started with a warm up ride, have to build up to the excitement you know.....

We worked our way up to the scarier rides......

Waiting for Wicked

Even though there is no photographic proof, I not only went on the roller coasters, which I love, but the girls even got me on Re-entry.  For those who don't know, this ride takes you up to heights that we were not meant to dangle at, slowly, and then when you least expect it, they drop you!  While I was sure that I would pass our from freight, during the climb, and the short wait, once they dropped us and the adrenaline rush kicked in, I was in heaven.  Hello, my name is Lisa, and I am an adrenaline junky, knowing I have a problem is the first step, right?  Anyway, I look forward to the drop, not the climb again. In between the rides we saw the sights and met some new friends.......

Julie and I even found dates, and look one of them brought dinner.......

However, we left the girls to fend for themselves........

 We may have waited a little too long for Jessie, she didn't leave much for the other girls.....

You know that it has been a productive, event filled day when you can go from this.........

 To this........

Well, time has flown by, and there is much to say, and never enough time to say it all.......

Aug came and with it , the start of Gabby's senior year of high school, I know she thinks that I am kidding, but I am willing to do anything, anything, to bribe enough teachers to flunk her so that she is forced to spend on more year at home.  No really, I will do anything, name it PHS staff, and it is yours!!  I had a blast driving all over the southern half of the state of Utah cheering on the girls tennis team,  Even braved a heavy snow storm on I70 at 5am to be in Moab for region tournament, if that isnt motherly love, I don't know what is.  Gabby is also a Rammette this year, the drill team at Parowan High School.  They look so good as a group out there, love it when there hard work and dedication pay off, except of course when it means that I will be an empty nester next year!  ( can you see the theme that will probably be whined about, alot, in this post, and many more to follow?  My apologies in advance.)

September brought the Iron County Fair, and my last year as Exhibit Director.  It is a bitteresweet feeling to see that chapter come to an end.  So many amazing friendships were formed, we truly are blessed when we lose ourselves in service to others.  It has been a challenge to take over a position that was filled by such capable hands before me, I often wondered what on Earth Joyce was thinking when she asked me to help.  I will forever be grateful to all of the volunteers who put in more hours over the years than I would ever want to add up to help make my vision a reality each year.  I think the greatest accomplishment is one that I can take absolutely no credit for, we brought the exhibits into the 21st century with online registration and stream lined the process not just for the public as exhibitors, but also cut back on the hours that the volunteers had to put in as well.  There is one last bug to work out, and even that, I feel we have left and idea or two for next year that most of you will be happy with.  While I think I may be a little lost without the fair to fill the end of my summer months, I am looking forward to having time to enter an exhibit or two of my own, and sit in the entertainment, and not feel guilty about it!  :)

October finds both Gabby and I in the middle of shows and rehearsals, I had the 'opportunity', (read in your best vampire voice) to work backstage on Parowan Community Theaters production of, Dracula.  It is always fun to work with old friends, and meet new friends on a show.......there is just a sense of....family, that I love.   It was especially fun to work on this show, as 21 years ago I had the chance to play Lucy in a show directed by the same fearless leader as this production.  Looking forward, with trembling knees, for the musical in the spring, as yours truly will be directing 'Annie Warbucks', the sequel to Annie. Watch for audition info in the next month or so.  Gabby has her plate full with 4, yes 4, college classes as well as early morning drill team practices, and something else, oh yes, one of the leads in the PHS production of  'Footloose'.  I have had a sneak peek at one or two rehearsals, it is going to be so much fun.  Performances are scheduled the weekend before Thanksgiving. On top of that crazy schedule she will be 18 in just a few short weeks, she went to her first 'Meet the Candidate Night', yes she got extra credit in her gov. class for attending, but she took notes, and asked questions about topics and issues.  She is going to go into here election knowing who she is voting, and why she wants to support them.  Regardless of who she votes for, her seriousness in preparing for the responisbility to vote makes a momma proud!

Mike is doing well, for info, see his blog, he is spoiled, he gets his own blog!!!

Matt is driving in what is soon to be the great white north, well almost, as that technically would be over the border in Canada at grandma's house, but you get the idea.  The blizzard that hit SD earlier this month blew itself out before it got that far north, but he assures me that it is indeed chilly up there!

thanks and love to so many of you who may be named in this little blog, but glossed over, and to those of you who go unnamed but care enough to read  and check up on our crazy family.  Happy Holidays, here at our house we start early, Halloween is quite the important day in the Cox house, so no, that message is not like the Christmas decorations that are already up at your local shopping centers.  Speaking of Christmas, you know what would make a great gift?  Several big fat 'F's on a report card or two.  Just kidding, kind of!