Wednesday, October 22, 2008

TRAKS Reunion

In High School, I had a great group of girlfriends. As cool as we thought we were, we were actually pretty dorky! We called ourselves TRAKS...for Tricia, Robyn, Amanda, Katie, Stephanie. Cool, I know. In the ten years since High School, my circles of friends have totally changed. I have college friends, mission friends, Joe's friends, and since-being-married friends. This weekend was our 10-year High School reunion, and for the first time in 10 years, we had a totally TRAKS weekend! It was great for me to remember how lucky I am to still have these friends.

These girls were my friends at a totally crucial time of life...High School. Post-High School friends have helped me remain true to who I am, but TRAKS helped me become who I am. We all made some pretty dumb decisions time and again, but we loved each other, supported each other, cried with each other, and helped keep each other somewhat in check. And while the rest of our Class of 98 was out partying, we were busy making our own talk shows, going to church dances, water skiing at the lake house, taking pictures of the pizza guy, making prank calls, day dreaming, cheerleading, playing basketball, waking up for early morning seminary, playing Mafia, watching X-Files, having pool parties, breaking our legs, and being super dorky. (Trust me...I have pictures.)

I really hope my kids are as lucky. Our friendship has survived 4 marriages, 1 divorce, 9 1/2 kids, 2 LDS missions, 1 parent's death. Lots of happiness. Lots of heartbreak.

Needless to say, it was great to see my girls.

We kicked off the weekend with some hot-tub fun. (Never mind the biting ants when we were close to the edge).

After a few (literally 4 for me--thanks to Avery) hours of sleep, Katie and I woke up to Turbo Jam (Katie obviously knows what she's doing much better than I do!)

Then it was on to pedicures, smoothies, shopping, and pre-reunion prep! (Avery even had her toenails painted!)

The time for the big reunion finally arrived. I dropped off my crying baby to her adopted California Grandma's house, and it was time to par-tay.

1st stop: Brea Mall for a "family photo"

2nd stop: Red Robin for dinner

3rd stop: Back to put my hysterically-attached-to-her-mama baby to sleep.

4th stop: House of Blues in Anaheim

It was pretty much like a "High School party that we never went to". Lots and lots of drunkenness. A few awkward conversations. Mostly lots of fun seeing faces I haven't thought of or seen in years.

So we paid $60 (since we bought tickets early) for everyone else's booze...and a cup of Sprite. But it was worth it. And our husbands are probably glad they stayed home.

We were kicked out at 11 pm, and were invited to continue the party at another local bar. We pretended we were going to go, but knew no one would remember that we weren't there, anyway (since I'm pretty sure the 5 of us were about the only ones not drinking). Psssst...can I get a refund?
So we left as TRAKS, and our own party continued with Hot Chocolate and another sleepless night. It was great.

Other trip highlights:

  • Going to the Single's Ward with Stephanie. Every time Avery even breathed, all eyes were on us! I forgot what church was like in a quiet ward!
  • Hanging out with Mandy and family. It was nice to relax (and sleep!) before returning to my tornado of a 2-year old!
  • Bringing home some special souveniers...ants! They somehow found their way into my diaper bag and appeared on Avery's head on the plane ride home...ewwwww!
  • Being so excited to see the aforementioned tornado, and Joe!

Thanks for the fun weekend, girls! Let's not wait another 10 years to do it again!

18 comments:

Maylene said...

I think that is so cool that you guys got together and obviously are still friends! I can still remember hearing all about TRAKS (and meeting a few of the members here and there). By the way...you look way cute in all the pictures!

Michael said...

You have been playing some serious blog catch-up.

I feel as though I should have been there this weekend to play my little-brotherly role. Too bad I missed it. Looks like you had a lot of fun, though. And are you sure you're not into the "club" scene? That shirt looks like you belong there... In Kimberly's words, you look like "one hot momma." Congrats on having graduated ten years ago.

Michael said...

Also, you look a little like "Grandma Dinosaur" in one of your pedicure pictures.

Kimberly said...

Grandma dinosaur? Really, Michael? That comment made me laugh out loud!

I loved all of the pictures. I want your outfit. Love your hair. Love that you got to reunite with all those girls. Love that you could return home and share all the juicy gossip with me. It's like reliving high school (for a weekend) all over again! You girls were cute then and you are all HOT now! I always loved your friends and I am glad you guys are still close and could bond together over the weekend!

Christie said...

Will you just go to my next HS reunion? You are way cuter than me and you can just pretend I suddenly became hot and skinny. Plus, I'll look like 10 years younger than everyone else. I think it's an excellent plan.

Diane said...

Oh Robyn, you guys all look so great! I thought about you all weekend long and knew you were having a great time. I think about these girls all the time and thank my lucky stars that you had them as friends. I love you TRAKS!

Diane said...

P.S. DH stands for dear or darling husband.

Hiller Family said...

It looks like you had a great time.
What a lucky gal to have such great friends.

Niki said...

It sounds like you had a lot of fun!! I too remember the close friends I had in High School and how important they were to me. I'm glad you got to hang out again and take a walk down memory lane! You guys look great!

Annakaisa said...

Oh my gosh Robyn!! Looks like you had so much fun! And man.. you looks SO sassy with your hair and big earings and all... way to go girlfriend!! ;)

Sarah E said...

I think it's so fun that you guys kept in touch all these years. I had a group of 7 in high school and we were inseparable, but we all lost touch right out of high school. (until recently thanks to Facebook) What a fun all-girl weekend. I love your hair cut and your fun shiny jeans. You looked like a million bucks!

Jake and Jessica said...

You may have convinced me to attend my 10 year, in a couple years. You look awesome I am glad you had such a great time and got a little break from the Tornado. See ya soon!

Darci said...

That is funny about the name, we had one too, BUDS it was or our last names. I didn't recognize Katie she looks different with the darker hair otherwise everyone looks the same. Who knows who those other people where with you????

Missy said...

Your hair looks really cute like that. Sounds like you had a lot of fun in CA.

Art and Evelyn said...

Looks like you guys had tons of fun! Having friends like that might've kept me out of a lot of trouble in high school! haha! Oh well... I've got the good friends now!

Aly said...

You always look so amazing! It looks like you had a great time. I think I need to get Tubo Jam, you've mentioned it a few times on your blog (so you must not be bored of it yet)!

Darcie said...

WOW, it looks and sounds like you had a blast. I love your hair and you looks SUPER HOT in your outfit. It sound like you have made some GREAT friends.

Unknown said...

Oh what fun! That's so cool you had such a great group of friends from high school. I think good friends in high school are more important than people realize.

P.S. You look AWESOME! Love the sparkly clothes and cute hair!