Summer Festivities

One of the things I love most about summer is the various different festivals that are held in the small communities around here. Here is a sampling of the things we have been up to in recent weeks:

These pictures are of the Schweitzer summer festival we went to. The kids' favorite part was the ski lift ride to the top of the mountain where we hiked around a little before coming back down. In the last picture you can see how tired the kids were afterwards (you can also see Jack's interesting sense of style). It was definitely a good day.

This is the only picture we have of the 4th of July festival and parade. I think Lindsey does a pretty good job representing the family though- she sure is a cute little girl. Also, I really, really enjoyed the parade this year. Here you have a bunch of different groups walking down the street and showing off what it means to them to be an American- and they were all proud of that. I thought this was significant because on a day to day basis many of these groups disagree strongly about what exactly America should be, let alone what it actually means to be "patriotic." But here, for a few brief hours, the entire community was able to forget differences for just a little while and appreciate (even celebrate) the fact that we live in a country where such differences of opinion can exist. It was great.

Also, I love that we live in a place where this is a thing. On May 6th an article was published in the newspaper with these opening words:

“K27 Central your status?"

The simple phrase was issued from a police dispatcher to a Coeur d'Alene officer, asking how they were doing. Only this time, the call would go unanswered..."

On a relatively routine day, during a relatively routine check of a suspicious person, Sergeant Greg Moore, badge number K27, was shot and killed. For months now, this tragic event has totally rocked our community, and the people of Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene have come together to grieve in a way that I have never seen before. Now, I realize that things like this, and much worse things for that matter, happen all the time. But not here. Not in our quiet little corner of the world. Everywhere you go now you see this officer's number, K27, shown as a display of community solidarity on bumper stickers, church and business marquees, hanging from construction sites, and painted on home windows. And everyone knows what it means.

Like I said, I love that we live in a place where this is a thing. Where events like this aren't just forgotten as yesterday's news. Where people know each other, and celebrate things together, and cry together. I think it's neat.

These are some fun ones. This was the Post Falls Days Parade and Festival. In the top picture the kids are showing off their massive haul of candy from the parade. The next few are from the annual neighborhood hot dog party after the parade, and then from the annual big-wheel competition that takes place at the local park, surrounded by food vendors, craft booths, musicians, and entertainers. If you look carefully you can see the ribbon that Addy got for winning her heat hanging on her handlebar.

So far, I'd say it's turning out to be a great summer!