Annual Killian Salmon Derby

If you're a Killian family follower you'll be happy to hear that the Killian Salmon Derby of 2011 went off without a hitch - unlike last year of course, where we had to cancel due to bad weather and choppy water.  Nope, in 2011 there was hardly a cloud in the sky, the biting flies of past years found their lunch elsewhere on the lake, and per usual it was a showdown between Mom and Grandpa for biggest fish.  Wouldn't be complete without the Wesco coffee to wash down the Dramamine, and donuts all around, either.

Drew and I left Colorado on a Friday afternoon bound for Blue Grass, Iowa.  We made it in around 4am, and spent the next day at the Mississippi Valley Fair with Tom and Mary Janet, stuffed ourselves with Rudy's Tacos and Whitey's Ice Cream (when in Iowa...) with Kurt, Rachel and the boys for company, and spent some time rough-housing with William until we bonked his head one too many times.  (With such a tall uncle you gotta watch out for a low hanging, or really any, ceiling!)

Sunday we traveled to Michigan and made it in just a few hours after Jason arrived from the Detroit airport (the Killian's sure make every effort to get back for fishing!).  We spent some time reminiscing about old friends (Dad had just gone to his high school reunion the night before) and beloved dogs (for those who don't know, my parents best bud Duster just passed away).  We even game some thought to names for the newest Labrador (a black lab!!) set to join the family if all goes well with a litter in September.  Monday we went fishing, Tuesday we lounged and mom and I made some plans for crafting (why buy pillows when your mom has a sewing machine!?).  Wednesday was blueberry picking and Thursday we were already back in the car with Jason in tow for a quick meet up with Jen in Chicago.  After a quick dinner we left Jason in Jen's capable hands so they could spend some time together before a big weekend of activities in the Kreb's world (a wedding and a half-marathon!).  We landed back in Blue Grass again for some golf, visiting grandmas, the zoo, and another fantastic meal before heading back to Colorado.

I could detail the fishing, but pictures do it best.  And also as usual, there were almost as many cameras on the boat as there were people (sometimes I wonder if we're a fishing family just so we can take the requisite pictures).  Which inevitably means that I'm not as diligent at capturing the moments since I know someone else is getting them, too.  Here's our excursion from the lens of my camera - if Jason or Dad send me some of their best shots to fill in the holes (Like my monster fish, where's that picture!!!???  Or either of my fish!). I'll be happy to post them.  :)

I'll just say this - Mom caught the big one right off the bat (we were all left to only hope for something half as big), everyone landed at least two fish and several people limited out at three, I got to enjoy my once a year donut (glazed twist, it's the only way to go), and we made Dad and Denny blush with our 10 year anniversary book.  We left Denny smiling and showing off all the pictures over the years to all the other captains at the pier.  I think we just made his marketing that much easier...