“i already told jodi she’s on her own,” sister #2 said.
“yeah, we race for blood,” jodi hanson said.
“and she’s slow, plus she has max and he runs like a girl,” sister #2 said.
“i’m not competitive,” i said.

they were talking about the amazing race that takes place after the grand finale of Blaine’s Blazin’ Fourth. this was my first year. but i guess every year as soon as the finale ends, you haul ass to the car trying to be the first one out of the parking lot and not get stuck in traffic.

“we’ll be in EP, by the time she hits 65,” sister #2 said.
“i don’t care,” i said.

so we lounged on the lawn, enjoying the fireworks and slapping the mosquitos, until the grand finale. suddenly everyone was gathering up blankets, shoes and kids.

i grabbed the one bag i had, and the one kid i was responsible for.

“let’s go aunt jodi!” max shouted.

and we were off.

shari’s BF had a good head start on us, but he had two other passengers. somehow jodi hanson had gotten ahead of us and managed to slide open both doors of the minivan. if jodi hanson and her brood (four kids) beat me, there was no way i was ever coming back.

“HURRY AUNT JODI!” max cried as he hopped into ruby.
“i locked my door,” i said!
“WHAT?”

finally, i got it unlocked and jumped into the seat.

“GO GO GO GO GO!” max chanted. “you can buckle as we drive.
“are you buckled in?”
“yes! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

and i did.

and we won! max and i won! we kicked all the asses out of the parking lot. as we were waiting for the light, i called up my brother-in-law Stink, the reigning champion of the parking lot race.

“HA!” i shouted into the phone. “hahahahahahahahahaha.”
“i know,” he said.
“let me talk,” max said.
“here max wants to say something,” i said to stink before handing the phone over.
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHa ha ha ha.” max said, handing the phone back to me. “was that good aunt jodi?”
“yes, it was,” i said shouting into the phone. “because we are the best!”