Independence Day Weekend

We had a great 4th of July weekend. Some of these photos are courtesy of Jenn, who came on Friday morning in time for Creswell's annual Independence Day parade. The weather was perfect, as the clouds lingered in the morning making the parade cool-weathered. Every year they have a great airplane show and a F15 fighter plane even flies overhead, so the clouds made the airplanes easier to see this year as the sun wasn't blinding everyone.

Papa and Sherrill met us at the parade and so we got to enjoy it with them, which was nice. They were in town for just a short trip as they were attending a wedding Saturday. After the parade we went to the park for picnic, booths, and patriotic music entertainment. The sun was out by this point, so we only stayed a short while. Griffin was a bit overexposed to stimuli and was ready for a quiet nap.

Nate marinated chicken and veggies, and together we all put skewers together for Friday nights' BBQ. The neighbors came over, as did my sister in law and my neices. We had a great time BBQ'ing and chatting. Laughing and joking always make its way into our house so there was lots of that going on as well. The kids played and had a really great time. By nightfall it was time to start lighting off our fireworks, just in time for Papa and Sherrill to show up for fireworks. All the neighbors were home this holiday so the cul-de-sac was filled with multiple fireworks and families. It was fun. My house is centered perfectly for the community fireworks that are lit off in the highschool field. It is located right behind my neighbors' backyard so we all sit in our front yards in our neighborhood as we have the best seats in town. Griffin, thankfully, was in bed by 7:30 and slept through all the fireworks. Bailey was just as freaked out this year, despite tranquilizers. (Side note: Thursday night while shopping for fireworks, she was in the backyard when someone lit off some loud ones, she tore the gate down and high-tailed it down our street before some neighbors rounded her up).

Saturday Jenn and I had a nice lunch in town and then headed to a movie. The Strangers is the scariest movie I have ever seen. What makes it terrifying is the pure suspense that is tied into this movie. Just thinking of being trapped in a house while people were trying to get at me is horrifying. But to see it ... well. And even though it's a movie, it's still scary!

Jenn took this picture, as Maysen wanted "New ears". Well ... doesn't he look like something out of Lord of the Rings? It amazes me everytime my sister comes, what an electric relationship she has with Maysen. He will talk about her until blue in the face, and when she comes it's the best thing in the world. He'll drag her all over the backyard, eats with her, wants to pee with her, and God forbid we try and leave. Melt Down City! Jenn has to make promises to that kid so that he'll calm down and it usually involves swinging, chase, and other varieties of crap Nate and I are tired of. She loves it, he loves it, so we're all good to go. When she left, he came home and said, "AUUUNNTTTIIIEEEE, where ARRREEEEE YOUUUUUU?" I had to inform him that she went home. He looked sad, then a new hope overcame him when he saw the new lotion I had just bought. "Mom," he says, "You're just teasing .... this is Auntie's lotion!!!". That was yet, another let down. She'll see him in just a few more weeks when she comes to town for my bday!!!

With Maysen we waited until he was 1yr before giving sugars. That's all a hoax. Griffin had ice cream for the first time this past week. I thought he'd wonder what in the heck this stuff was, but he ate it like he had eaten it his whole life, and none too happy when we took it away. In reality all we did was let him suck a little off Nate's cone.

Saturday night we had a fire with Jenn and cooked s'mores. Something about campfire, s'mores, and being blasted in the face with firesmoke no matter how many times you move is just great! It was a blast. Reminded me of home and times at the lake.

Sunday night around 1am I started having some abdominal pain. Nate had made plans for the day Sunday so gracefully the boys went elsewhere so I could rest for the day. And it was a good thing. By 2pm Sunday I was in so much pain I was fearful I would have to find someone to take me to the ER. My abdominal pain had radiated into my back and although I have never been in labor (thanks to Drive-Thru C-sections) I could have sworn I was in labor. After 800mg of Ibuprofen, a hot bath, and a 3hr nap, I felt better when I woke up. I was nauseated but at least the pain was gone. As of today, I'm all better with the exception of a massive headache. I see my doctor on Wednesday to f/u with my plantar fasciitis so I'll be talking with her about this then. Of course between now and then, Nurse Leslie has a laundry list of self-diagnoses from 1) just a bug to 48985) gall/kidney stones?

And with that, it's bathtime. I think this is enough to digest for now.