July 4th Weekend

Hope everyone had a fantastic 4th. We had a fun weekend. For the most part. We drove up to Eureka Springs on Saturday to stay w/ our friends, Thao and Alan, and their little boy Joshua. Alan's dad owns a house there and it was the perfect little vacation home, don't know why I didn't take a picture. It's been forever since I've been to Eureka. I'd forgotten how winding the roads were. But the scenic downtown made up for it.

The kids got along pretty well. Every time we'd put Abby near Joshua, she'd lean in to kiss him. Who knew she was such a flirt. He is a handsome little fellow though, so who could blame her. Thao and I walked down Main Street and got ourselves massages. Scott and Alan took the kids to check out the shops. That apparently did not last long as they were back way before we were. At least Scott made it to the fudge shop, and that was all that really mattered. We had originally planned on staying until Monday, but there were no fireworks shows. Nick was so fired up about seeing a fireworks show, it was hard to say no.

We headed out early the next morning (or as early has having small kids will allow) to Branson for Silver Dollar City. Nick could barely contain his excitement. I was less enthused about the drive. I knew the curves on the way there would be brutal so I took my Dramamine. Good thing, too, but I'll get to that in a minute. The group split up after lunch. Scott took Nick on most of the rides as I get too nauseous on those things. Poor fellows, a couple of times they stood in line forever only to be around for maintenance right as it was their turns. It was hot and humid, but thankfully cloudy. We managed to stick around until 3. Nick and Scott took one last ride on the big swings.

Scott said that last ride was a little rough, but seemed fine. We weren't on the road for more than 10 mins and we had to pull over. Scott was so nauseous he couldn't drive. This from a guy who never gets motion sickness. I suspect he was dehydrated and it exacerbated the problem. Nick was also feeling queasy and howled and complained nonstop. Poor Abby was hungry, but had to wait until I was able to find a place to pull over to feed her. So what should have been a 2 hour drive turned into 4. I later learned that Alan got a ticket going home, so their trip was not all peachy either.

Once we made it home, I put both father and daughter to bed. Nick and I had a date at a fireworks show. We went and bought ourselves some sparklers and then grabbed dinner at the Olive Garden. The fireworks show was across the street so we just sat in the car, ate our dinner and waited. He LOVED doing this btw. I waited in the car w/ a hyperactive 4 yr old for 1 1/2 hours. Mercifully the show finally started. After only 10 mins, Nicholas turned to me and asked why the show was so long. When would it be over? Could we go home? I about strangled my son at that moment. We cut out of there early, thus the end of a very long day and this very long story.

Thank you to Thao and Alan for inviting us. We always enjoy spending time w/you.

My friend Thao and sweet little Joshua

Doing what he does best, getting down.

Abby was so good on this trip.

Seriously, how cute is this picture.

Thao, Alan and J on the tram to Silver Dollar City.

The infamous big swing

This is the first time she has ever napped in her stroller.

Outside Olive Garden waiting for the fireworks show.

July 4th Weekend

It was nice having the 4th fall on a Saturday this year, Scott was able to have a long 3 day weekend. My family came up to celebrate w/ us. We hung out at my brother Steve's house Friday evening. We took Nick to the fireworks stand and bought a few things, just to see if he had any interest in them. He loved the little snaps that you throw on the ground. Those kept him entertained for at least 45 mins. Then my family took turns playing chase w/ Nick. Yet another good reason having my family around. Scott and I can just sit back while they entertain Nick. He especially loved the all the colorful fountains. It was funny, every time we set one off, he'd make a fist and point it in that direction. Not really sure what that was all about, but it was amusing. He also got to hold his first sparkler. Nothing says good parenting like handing your child a flaming stick, right?

We left Nick to stay the night over there and caught a late movie, "The Hangover". We didn't get home until almost midnight! The movie was hilarious, btw. Sleeping in with no middle of the night shenanigans from our little man... yet another plus having my family visit. We got a pleasant treat that afternoon when our good friends, the Dormans, stopped by for a visit. Their little 3 mo old son, Joshua, is just the cutest little fellow. He has chunked up since the last time we saw him. I just love him, he's so squeezable. He loves to eat and doesn't like to be interrupted when doing so. A man after my own heart!

Later that afternoon, we stopped by our neighborhood block party to check out the festivities. We didn't stay long as it was hotter than hades. It was neat though, got to meet a few of our neighbors and Nick got to play in the bouncy house. We pulled Nick out there in his wagon. On the way back, my sweet hubby told me to hop in and pulled both of us back. I got a few stares, and a chuckle from another pregnant lady, but it was worth it.

We cooked out that evening w/ my family and then watched the fireworks show our neighborhood put on from our backyard. Nick was not too enthused this time around. It was late and he was tired. About 10 mins into the show he said, "I'm tired of watching fireworks." I don't blame the kid. After a while, it all looks the same, especially after a long couple of days.

Isn't Joshua the cutest little booger?