Well, It's been over a month since I lasted posted, and I have been very busy. Jared and Jaime came for a visit over the 4th of July weekend and we had a great time with the kids and grand kids. We watched the parade and then went to the park to see the vendors and other displays. Search and Rescue put on a demonstration of a traverse from the top of the Surf Hotel to the park. It was similar to a Zip line, but was set up so we could stop half way down and then lower a person into a boat that was sitting in the middle of the street. It worked great, and everyone was impressed. One of the things they had going on was a sidewalk chalk drawings. I added a picture of one of the ones I liked.
After the weekend, Jared left to report to his new duty station, Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii. He'll be home based there for 3 years, but could be deployed to wherever they need him.
The next thing was the Brookings Renaissance Fair, where I sold some wooden swords and shields. That was July 19th, and I share a booth with Tonya Pingree, and did pretty good for a small fair with about 12 booths total. I sold about 14 swords with holders and 2 shields. Heres a picture of my display. All the shields were painted different, each one for a different knight. The name for my store is "Skull and Bones Swords."
After the fair, it was get ready for the Elson Family Reunion 2008. We left a week early so we could leave to go to Salt Lake City, and visit with Joseph and Joel and their families. We spent Saturday, the 26th (my birthday) traveling, but stayed the night in Wendover, NV at the Peppermill Casino & Hotel. We then arrived at Joseph's the next morning. Joel came up and we visited and celebrated my birthday with cake. Luckily, someone was smart and I only had to blow out 9 candles (5 yellows - decades & 4 blue - years). That night we went to Provo where we stayed for a couple of days and I helped Joel and Julie work on their house, while Grammie did babysitting chores for Damon. We work Monday and Tuesday and with Lori helping Tuesday morning we got a total of about 33 hours.
We left Wednesday morning for Lake Tahoe, where the reunion was and had a great time. We visited with the family, the wives shopped, we swam at the pool, we went to Truckee and took a river raft trip, and of course the tradition Blackjack game Friday night, where this year Douglas was the big winner. Jamie, Lindsey, Wesley, Joel, Julie, Damon, Lori and I rented a condo and had a great time. On Friday morning, Joel, Julie, and I went down and did a para sail ride on the lake. We had great time and the para sail was perfect with a skull and crossbones on it.
ON Saturday, Jaime took Lindsey, I went along to take pictures, to go para-sailing. Lindsey was all excited until she took off. She got a little scared, but hung tough and after getting back on the boat and back to shore, later that day she wanted to go again.
It was a good trip and hopefully we will do it again in two years for another Elson reunion. Till next time, See Ya.
the map site into my address book so next time we don't go sightseeing around the south side of town. The faire was just as good as always (our third year,) and we enjoyed ourselves. We watched the joust put on by the Knights of Avalon, saw the Queen in the Parade, and of course spent plenty of money on costume parts for Lindsey. We got her a belt, to put her purse on, then of course she need a cup and holder so she could be like mom and grandpa. So grandpa got her a wooden mug and holder and then she wanted a knife. So grandpa got ordered to make a wooden knife like the swords he makes for her costume. (Doesn't Lindsey have Grandpa wrap around her finger.) Grandpa bought Lori and himself a magic talisman necklace for protection. He ended up going back on Sunday and getting Jaime and Lindsey a necklace also. Grandpa also bought himself a green shirt and some black pants to replace the fading ones he was always wearing. Maybe next year I'll be a vendor and sell my swords and shields. 
