A Few Good Days

But no men around for it. Kris and I have been passing in the night. Literally! We have been home for an entire 20 hours together in the last 9 days (but will be 12 when we're through) - and all those hours were sleeping. So I am looking forward to our vacation coming this week. I'm getting ready to leave now, just waiting for the babysitter. Then, packing Ryan up and heading out to my parents. I'm leaving Ryan there for a night and I'll meet them at our rental cottage in Grand Haven on Sunday (they are meeting Kris, Emma and Nick on Saturday).

At home, we have basically been doing laundry, packing, going to the gym, school shopping, therapy, workbooks and playing. Ok, that doesn't sound all that different than any other week. But we just smooshed it all into a 3 day week and even threw in a trip to P&G and the museum.

Ryan and Emma were happy to do a little shaving cream play last week and figured out it was a great place to write. They loved it. We also got to have the pool(s) out and Emma got to try on her newest bathing suit. She sure is a bathing beauty!

Fourth of July in PA

Our family had a wonderful time in Pennsylvania for the 4th of July. We traveled out there on Friday, hoping for an early departure, which ended up being 8am, which is still earlier than our normal 10. It was a great drive and we were able to spend the evening with Kris's mom. We made it back to the farm in time to get the kids in their pj's and wait for my parents to get there (and rile Ryan up!)

Saturday, we had a wonderful Hardependence Party (Kevin's name for it, not mine). There was great food and wonderful family. The kids enjoyed their Four-wa-wheewer wides (Ryan's pronunciation) and getting to play with all the other kids. We all started to realize how little they need us to keep themselves busy there and it will only get worse as the years go by. The fireworks were amazing and I was really glad my parents were able to come out and enjoy this day with us!

The kids also got to help Uncle Harold, Doug and Daddy unload some hay bales. Even Nick wanted to help, but he wasn't allowed to climb in the barn! The kids were fabulously dirty most of the week and had a great time of it. I realized why the kids in old pictures always were dirty and in cheap clothes - there is no point in nice clothes at a farm! They really enjoyed feeding the two mama pigs and their 24 piglets!

On Monday, we spent some time at the Three Springs Pool, enjoying the nice weather. Kelli and Rick accompanied us and gave the kids more people to throw water at.

On Tuesday, we visited Lincoln Caverns with Doug. We thought it was pretty cool - literally, it was 50 degrees in the caves. Ryan and Emma had a hard time with the 'No touching' policy, but eventually made it through. They were both happy to get to use their glow sticks another time. We also got to feel like smart parents, when we watched another couple try to carry their 6 month old through the caves (complaining most of the time), while we had our wrap for Nick.

On Wednesday, Kris's mom joined us for a truly beautiful day at Cowan's Gap. We came here two years ago with just Ryan and Emma, where I took one of my favorite (and most beautiful pictures). We took another great rounds of them. We had a picnic lunch first, then warmed ourselves up with a hike around the lake. Ryan and Emma preferred throwing rocks into the water, so what would probably have been a 20 minute hike took 1 1/2 hours. But Nick took a nap, so we were happy anyway. After that, we swam at the lake, enjoying the weather. Even Nick broke down and dug in the sand. He swam for a while, had a snack and then played a rousing game of 'Pour out the Cheez-Its in a bowl, pour it out, and back again'. Later, Kris sped us home in time for Ryan and I to make it to the fire company Bingo. We didn't win at Bingo, but won the door prize of a free round of Bingo!

Thursday, Kris and his mom took Ryan and Emma to see Cars 2, then picked Nick and I up for dinner. We headed home on Friday and have been hearing 'ka-chow' ever since. It was a wonderful trip followed by a great weekend at home.