JOLLEY OUTDOOR GAMES 2010

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At this charming old house, built over a hundred years ago...

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Andrew, stop it! Get out of my picture!

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I apologize. Let me try that again.

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At this charming old house, built over a hundred years ago, Uncle Doug and Aunt Cathy host the annual Jolley Outdoor Games every Memorial Day weekend.

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These games are serious business. Careful scores are kept, brackets organize the teams, and competition is fierce.

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But there is only one winner.

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Only one privileged family member with the honor...the glory...and the trophy on their mantle.

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This year, tents of the contestants dotted the beautiful backyard--for this tournament was too great to be held in one day, and many had traveled long distances to attend.

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Why hello, Becca.

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Blue skies over the canopy, trellises, gazebo, pond, grape vines, and gardens set the stage for the distinguished event.

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On a side note, this is the toad, that lived in the pond, that nearly drove all of us insane. For the record, a toad's mating call is not a pleasant sound.
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This shaded corner of the yard was to be our domain. It had a view.

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We woke up to this in the morning.

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And Cupcake here, stared from the fence into our tent for much of the afternoon.

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That first day, I was pleased to see Uncle Chris saunter past in a sombrero. I suddenly knew this weekend had to be a good one.

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In his defense, for those who not impressed by the headgear, Chris begets beautiful children. Meet Rachel Marie.

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This was me. Notice how full of hope and anticipation! So lighthearted and optimistic! So occupied by lofty dreams of wealth and glory! I would conquer all!

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How naive I was...

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The first contest was a rousing competition of Frisbee golf. After the course was carefully arranged with obstacles of varying degrees, and Frisbees were inspected to meet proper requirements, the games began.

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The course wrapped around the house. My stress level mounted as it soon became clear: I would be losing this event somethin' terrible.

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The competitors participated in many events over the next few days: kickball, field goal kicking, skeet shooting, beanbag toss, whiffle ball baseball, and other games I can't remember the names of.

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Here, Lane, Becca, and Andrew watch and prepare for the beanbag toss.

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But who were they kidding? No one was to outscore Amy's amazing skills.
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Even the animals took part in the competition.

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Until it was time for kitty's belly scratch, that is.

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I shall call him kitty and he shall be mine. And he shall be my kitty.
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At about this point, I was disappointed to find that Uncle Chris had opted for a new hat. Cool...but not nearly as cool as before.
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But then, after multiple qualifying rounds, the Jolley family hula-hoop championship commenced. It was to be a bitter fight between the opponents Arial, Celeste, and...
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...Becca.

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Cue the suspenseful music, please.
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It was to be a lengthy battle. But two were destined for defeat.

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(Becca is looking way too cocky here.)

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After an honorable attempt, Arial was the first to fall. She joined the cheering crowd.
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And now there were two. Pressure was mounting, as distractions were fired from the taunting spectators.
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But finally, after 25 minutes of hip twirling, there was victory at last!
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Rebecca is the champion!
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Are you curious about the strangeness of this image? For lack of a better name, this activity is called...the giant-stretchy-pink-thing-of-death!

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Apart from providing the joy of an extreme sport, this baby does a fabulous job of showing off the figures of its participants. =)
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But basically, this is how it works...
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Four people get inside and stretch away from one another...

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...until two people switch places hurtling the next two people to opposite sides of the stretchy circle. This goes on and on, at increasingly dangerous speeds until...
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...someone gets seriously injured.

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It's great fun!

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Near the end, many were feeling the effects of prolonged sun exposure. Exhaustion and sunburns were setting in to the point that I would have done anything for Chris' sombrero. I settled for this lovely topper instead.
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It was perfect.
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And many others sought relief in the shade. Including Andrew...
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Celeste...
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And Arial.

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So there's where the sombrero went!
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In the end, the opponents all joined together to share in celebratory feasting.
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As for the winner? I honestly don't know. The only thing I'm sure of is the fact that I didn't even come close.

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Until next year...

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