Just like old times . . .

After traveling to Utah a month ago and reuniting with David Ray and crashing on his couch we planned to have a get together once he made it down to Arizona. He, along with a few other friends that managed to come over, went to high school with me and together we were part of the coolest group of guys at Chandler High. David Van Allen and I called David Ray the day before we left to UT and h e offered to let us crash at his house on our way to a funeral in Ogden. David waited up for David Van Allen (hereinafter referred to as DVA) and I until after midnight then left at 5:00 AM the next morning for work. After chatting with us he woke his wife Shannon up to explain that two strangers were in their house and one was armed, but not to be alarmed because they were "good guys". DVA and I met Shannon the next morning and introduced ourselves.

DVA, Kristi and Cliff Tolman, Clint Overton

It took a bit of planning but DVA and his family came over about 11 AM and we smoked some ribs and chicken while the kids played in the pool and ran around the house. Adaira had a great time playing with Olivia, DVA's little girl. DVA also helped me do some welding on the fence in the back yard. He is much more skilled at welding that I.

Jenny Van Allen, Dave and Carol Tolman

Well the ribs turned out tender and fell off the bone, even though ribs are supposed to stick to the bone some. I think they were in the foil too long while we waited to start eating but we had to pull them while we cooked the chicken. I had 2 racks left over and ended just pulling the ribs out and pulling the meat like pork shoulder and using it for sandwiches the next day.

Shannon and David Ray, DVA

We had a good turn out. A few canceled the last minute but it was nice to see those who came.

Clint Overton and Cliff Tolman

After dinner I thought I would pull out the barrel train for all the kids who were all younger than Brighton. Cliff aired up the tires, DVA cleaned them off and I pulled the kids around for about 15 minutes.
With so much commotion going on, it's easy for the kids to sneak as much soda as they want...

After everyone had left but DVA (and fam) and Carol and Dave Tolman, a 3+ foot king snake slithered up to us in front of the house. Notice the poop it left on my massive forearm. I put it by the north berm and it snuck back to the house. Then I took it to the south berm hoping it would find some nice gophers to eat.

It was a nice evening. We had more than enough food. Jenny VA made some killer corn bread and peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes and Kristi Tolman made some tasty pink lemonade
flavored cupcakes. I tried out a sopapilla cheesecake recipe I had been eyeing for a while. All in all a great evening catching up with old friends. We hope to start an annual tradition.

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