4th of July Weekend - Greenway Fun

The Fourth of July is definitely one of my favorite days of the year. There is something very poignant to me about being patriotic, it's a very unifying experience that makes me proud to be a part of this country. And, I like grilled hotdog sandwiches.

For the first year, we got to enjoy the pageantry of the Whitland neighborhood Fourth of July parade. And we were grateful to have the Siefert family join us. I really didn't know what to expect from the parade, but it was fantastic! There were hundreds of people, countless little ones riding their decorated tricycles, bikes, scooters, wagons, stollers, and dad's necks down Whitland Avenue. The symphony played patriotic tunes, and then this man with a terrific FM-radio quality voice stood, with the symphony in the background, and recited the Declaration of Independence. Awesome! I was moved, and I can't wait until next year.

Anna B looks so cute in her little decorated stroller with her little flag.

The parade marches on. Carter's eyes were as big as dinner plates.

We then went to the Siefert's house for an afternoon of friends and fellowship. We are truly grateful for their hospitality and their friendship.

Then, the next afternoon, the weather was so beautiful that we decided to go check out one of our fine city's amenities, the Richland Creek Greenway. Carter rode his Thomas bike, Anna B rode in her stroller (still decorated), and we had a blast! Over about 3 miles, we saw golfers, a train, several bunnies, and even some ducks in the creek. I actually felt slightly better about my exorbitant city property taxes. Slightly.

Carter really enjoyed riding his bike across the huge bridges. He then discovered that if he rode his bike very fast, then slammed on the brakes (a brand new, and helpful, skill), his tires squealed and made "tracks" on the bridge planks. He would pedal, pedal, pedal, and then brake! Then turn around to look over his shoulder at his tracks. Even though it made for a very choppy walk filled with breaks, it was so great to see him take such joy in a simple pleasure.

It makes me wonder how many of these simple pleasures are going unnoticed in my every day life. It also amazes me how much I can learn from my 3 1/2 year old little boy. He is such a treasure.

We then took the party to Five Guys, where Anna Brooks demolished some great fries, we dined beside Alan Jackson (I resisted the urge to ask him if he just mailed it in with his new song "Good Times"), and Carter was thrilled with his hotdog sandwich and Sprite. What a treat! I, however, was devastated that Five Guys had already perfected my entrepreneurial dream of bringing hotdog sandwiches to the masses.

May 08 Beach Trip!

So back in May we had the great pleasure of joining Nanny and Papa at their beach house in Bonita Springs, FL. Many many thanks to N & P for having such patience with us and sharing their beach house with us for a much needed vacation. After a very busy and taxing year, Natalie and I were able to get some rest, and we were able to spend time together as a family with Anna Brooks on vacation for the first time. And we very much enjoyed the time with Nanny and Papa who vacation just like we do: without an agenda!

And many thanks to Papa for taking Carter and I on a great, though fishless, fishing trip. Carter even got to touch a "scrimp".



Here are Carter and Papa getting ready to jump in the pool. Nanny and Henry are just out of frame left. The photo of Natalie and the kids was the best out of the 40 similar shots that we took. Maybe the Olympic committee should adopt "Taking a successful photograph with two children" for the 2012 games.

Carter fell in love with the pool, and we could hardly keep him out of there! He enjoyed playing torpedo, yelling into the pool noodles, and checking out the "bug craps" (that's "traps").



Anna B really took to the hammock well. I'm convinced there will be a sea of swinging hammocks in heaven. Laying in that hammock at the beach is about my favorite place on the planet, and I am so glad AB loved it!

It's so exciting to begin to see new and different aspects of little Brooksy's personality: sweet, determined, observant, hungry, fun-loving... This is just a great time to see such changes, and I was so thankful for the amount of quality time that we got to be together as a family.

Carter is showing off his huge muscles. He's starting to grow out of his cute toddler stage, and in many ways, it breaks my heart. He's still just as cute and sweet and loving as ever, it's just that life's lessons are starting to creep in. He's such a special little boy, and I love every little second with him.