Cherry Chub Reunion

10 women, 7 kids, 5 days, 2 houses, one Cherry Chub Reunion and lots of fun. That was our second of the biannual Cherry Chub Reunions. In the month of February, from the 11th thru the 16th, was the second of the Cherry Chub Reunions, this one held in Las Vegas. 10 of the girls from 1234 Cherry were able to come together for a few days of fun. Attending was myself (+ kids), Sarah (+ kids), Emily, Jamie, Courtney, Bethany, Leticia, Mandy (+ kids), and Melissa and Melanie who hosted and put us up in their homes. During the reunion we were able to celebrate Courtney's birthday and hold a baby shower celebrating the coming of babies to Melissa, Jamie, and Leticia. It is so awesome the we were able to arrange our schedules to come together for these few days. Each of these women have had a profound effect on my life and will always be my best friends. It is amazing that I didn't get to know them until so far into my life, yet I feel like they have always been my friends. I know they will always be my friends. Though most of us no longer live near each other and are spread across the country and across the world for that matter, we still love each other dearly and are interested in each others lives and are still a strength for each other. Thanks Cherry Chubs for enriching my life so greatly. I was a little worried about how the reunion would go having our kids to deal with, but everyone was so great. We were able to come together for fun and meals and the kids still talk about everyone they met and how much fun we had on our trip. We are looking forward to 2012 in New Mexico.

Sarah and I caravaned to Melissa's House on Thursday the 11th. Our kids were great. We drove, had a stop for lunch, they napped, we drove on, stopped at a park to play, and then drove to Melissa's house in Vegas. Friday morning we took the kids to the strip where we met Leticia. We walked a ways stopping to see the Coke Polar Bear, some cops on dirt bikes in front of the Harley Davidson store, we saw the Lions at the MGM Grand, and then on to the Mandalay Bay to the Shark Reef. It was a very long walk for little legs but they did great. We all loved the Shark Reef and were amazed at the sharks.

Some of the sharks we saw.





That night Emily and Jamie, Mandy, Courtney, and Bethany all came in. We had a trip to the park near Melissa's house.


Rubie loves the slide.



We all thought the teeter-toter was great.

On Saturday we all came together at Melissa's house for a lunch and just to play together.


Saturday also happened to be Courtney's birthday. Melissa and Melanie got babysitters for the kids. We planned on going to dinner and doing something fun. Courtney wanted a Japanese restaurant and karaoke. But there was a problem with the karaoke idea. We aren't quite the crowd for the typical Vegas karaoke bar. Courtney and I searched and searched on the internet for an appropriate place for us to go. After a few hours of searching we realized there wasn't really a place to go, so we thought of renting one. That turned into just buying one. So Leticia and Courtney headed out in my vehicle to find a karaoke machine. A few hours later they showed up just in time to head out to dinner. We went to a little dive of a Japanese restaurant and while the food was sort of interesting the company was fantastic. After dinner we headed back to Melissa's to celebrate Courtney by giving some gifts, and honoring the new moms and to play with the karaoke machine.


Courtney and Mandy were the first to perform.

Our gifts for Courtney didn't necessarily have to be something new. We were to give her something that reminded us of her for some reason and then share those reasons and some memories with her and the group. Mandy gave her some books and a DVD from her local library.



I gave a Court a shirt exactly like one she already has. She and Sarah won the shirts from a race. Sarah didn't like her shirt and gave it to me. Courtney has worn hers out so I gave her Sarah's. I also gave her some Yanx. It was so great to reminisce about all the fun times and memories of Courtney and all the girls of the Cherry house.

Melissa, Jamie, and Leticia received some really cute gifts, some gift cards, and advice.

On Sunday we went to church with either Melissa or Melanie depending on where we were staying. We came together after Church for dinner. While dinner was getting prepared we had another trip to the park.

These shoes are just an example of the intrusion we made on Melissa's home. Melissa's quiet, tidy, house was filled with women and kids and all the stuff that goes along with girls and kids.



We had a rousing game of animal charades that everyone of all ages was able to get into. Here are Mandy and Kimball as a Kangaroo.


Courtney made a great Sea Lion. Fay knew right away what she was.


Fay did the best impression of an Orca whale.


Even Rubie understood the game and showed us her skills as a puppy.


Bethany did a good job although I can't remember what she was.


Melanie had us all rolling with her rendition of a stool pigeon.


Emily did a good impression of some animal as well.

Our favorite Chub Love cheer.

Monday morning we headed out to a Nevada State Park. The weather was gorgeous. We started off with a game of flag tag. Courtney happened to have a flag football game with her. She is always prepared.


After flag tag we went on a 1/4 mile hike. The kids loved all the rocks and sticks. They still don't quite understand staying on the trail.


Are we going the right way?

Even though we hiked at a toddlers pace all enjoyed being together.

Hi Rubie.

Eric by a cactus garden.



Eric found a great stick, Rubie is digging for something else.

Sure is beautiful scenery.

There was once a little farm at the State Park.

After our hike we had a great Cherry Chub lunch.

These three loved the chips!

We do enjoy food!

Next, Leticia pulled out a really cool bubbles set.

Yeah, bubbles!!


Mas wants to make the bubbles not just chase them.

One reason meals are so great is that it allows us to have great conversations.

After lunch and the bubbles we hiked to the observations point. What are they all observing?

Hi beautiful Mandy and Julia.

These kids are quite the hikers.

Most of us are here. Courtney took the jogging stroller back to the car as the path wasn't quite made for it.

Now we are all here.

After our time at the State Park we went back to Melissa's for dinner and playing around.

Noah and Fay loved making animal noises in the karaoke machine.


There's happy Julia.

Eric is trying out his new paint set. Courtney came prepared with a treasure hunt and prizes for the kids. Eric still loves his Spiderman grease board and Thomas the Train paint set from Courtney.


We always have fun just visiting.


Courtney has quite the karaoke skills.


These three made a great trio.

I finally attempted some top 40's tunes. I'm not quite ready for a American Idol or anything but we had fun.

Thanks Cherry Chubs for your friendship. I miss daily interactions with you. We are excited for the next time we are all together.