Happy 4th of July...a day late...

Hey there!

Wow, what a jam-packed weekend and holiday! Friday night, Zan and Will had a friend spend the night. They had a good time playing outside and watching a movie. We took him home Saturday afternoon and the boys headed to another friend’s birthday party. The party was a pool party and the boys had a blast. While they were at the party Joe and I went to the Vancouver farmer’s market. We had a German beer sausage for a snack and took a nice walk in the sunshine. After playing a few computer games I went to pick the boys up from the party. They were full of energy from all the excitement. On the way home William said he wanted to go to the beach the next day. It is very rare for William to ask to do something. Usually Zan is the one with the ideas and Will just goes along with it. Joe and I decided since he rarely asks for things we should do it.

Sunday Joe and I were scheduled to teach the 4-6 year olds at church and then we all piled into the car and headed to Seaside. We stopped at an old family-run gas station about 20-30 miles outside of Seaside for gas and lunch. It was a great place. It was completely a family affair. The kid pumping the gas was about 12 and very polite AND we got a free soda for filling up. Plus they had yummy food from their hot deli. We got burritos, egg rolls, and VERY yummy, homemade wiener wraps. Lunch and drinks for four people…less than $11. Great deal and quite yummy. About 5 miles from Seaside the sun disappeared behind the clouds and the temperature dropped. This was Joe’s first time at an Oregon beach, unfortunately the weather wasn’t the best. We still had a great time though. There was very little wind and it was about 60. We stopped at the Candyman and spun the wheel, but none of us got a prize…so sad… We headed to the beach and the boys had a great time. They built sandcastles and ran in the waves. Zan and I played a card game and Joe buried Will up to his neck and it was SO cute. He had a huge smile on his face. I am sure it will be something he will remember for years to come. After Will got buried, Zan wanted to do it too, so he had a chance too. It was great to have such a great day as a family.

On our way home we stopped in Beaverton at Red Robin for dinner and then headed home for showers and bed. Monday I had to work and we were surprisingly busy. I sure enjoy sleeping in yesterday. The boys were already awake when Joe and I got up. We had some breakfast and lounged around most of the day. At about 5 we headed to McDonalds for a quick dinner and let the boys play in the play zone there. They are always wanted to stay and play but usually the reason we are eating fast food is because we are short on time. It was nice to let them play around for a while. It was surprisingly slow inside McDonalds. We were there about an hour and we only saw about 20 people the whole time. The boys had the play structure all to themselves. At about 6:30 we headed to Vancouver mall and took a bus to Fort Vancouver for the fireworks show. We played some cards and the kids ran around while we waited for the show to start. The show was good. Unfortunately we didn’t bring a radio so we didn’t have a chance to watch the show along with the music, but the show was still impressive. After the show was over we headed back to the buses and caught the 2nd bus out. It was great to get back to the mall so quickly since there was very little traffic getting out. We got home around 11:15 and let off the rest of our fireworks. We finally fell into bed around midnight. I was SO tired when my alarm went off this morning. Luckily today is the first day the boys start at the new daycare (Robyn’s Nest) and Joe is going to take the boys every morning…then I get them on my way home at night. It was so nice not having to wake the boys up and getting them ready. I just got dressed, had some breakfast and was ready to go. It was great. I am sure going to enjoy not having to be responsible for the boys in the morning…plus I am sure they will enjoy not having to get up at 5:30 anymore…lol.

I can’t wait for Friday (My birthday of course!!) This weekend we are going to go shopping for some earrings for my birthday. I think we are going to try the Shane Company (where we got our wedding rings.) They have really good deals and quality jewelry. Hopefully we will find something within our budget and is nice. I am hoping to get a pair of diamond earrings, but I might go for some ruby ones to watch my wedding ring (and my birthstone.) We might be going to Harvey’s Comedy Club with a friend since she might be getting free tickets, but I’m not quite sure yet. Either way I am sure Joe and I will have a good time. The boys will be with Dusty, so we are kid free. I kind of wish they would be around for my birthday, but it just means we will get to celebrate again! LOL

Well, I am off. Have a great day!!