4th at Home

We spent some time over the 4th of July weekend with the Porters at the rustic cabin. Since Zak had to be back at work on Wednesday the 5th, we drove home on the holiday. I had grocery store sparklers and pop-it's for the kiddos, the latter of which they handles entirely on their own. I remember when Miss V was Mr C's age and tried to pop them with Grandma Porter, she had to throw the same one a few times to get it to pop. This time, Mr C grabbed one, and with extra force sent it popping. The kids liked he sparklers, but Zak and I used up most of them because the kids wanted to go back to the pop-it's. I'm glad they preferred the safer option.

Independence Day 2014

Great-Grandma Sue and Great-Grandpa Porter gathered us all together along with some of Zak's aunts, uncles, and cousins. Aunt Suzy and Uncle Niel brought their grandson, L. He's a little younger than V, but bigger, so we wanted to see how they'd get along with one another. She tried to sit on him, and we've realized she still needs to learn how to gently touch a person's (or dog's) hair and face. One time when he was on his belly, she even tried to sit on him. Sorry, Jake and Katie. She also spent a good deal of energy trying to cruise and walk to Izzy the dog.

Photo from Grandma Sue's facebook page;

V, Grandpa, and Izzy

Our family cuddled in our tent at night, and enjoyed the cooler cabin during the day. We didn't end up swimming, because their were so many bugs on the lake, but we did get to test out the infant pool. Miss V even wore some of the onesies we tie-dyed last year. I tried out a new breakfast recipe, Breakfast pigs in a blanket.

There was quite a show all around us of brilliant, screeching fireworks. The babies did well, and even laughed with the explosions. We didn't end up playing any games this time, because the babies were entertainment enough.

I taught the lesson in church that Sunday, so we drove back to Idaho Sunday morning, and that afternoon Zak realized he'd left his computer drive at the cabin, with some files he needed the next day. Fortunately, Mom and Dad hadn't yet left the cabin, and were able to meet us halfway in Soda Springs. They did a lot of driving on our account. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Handsome kid and cute Baker couple

Grandpa Porter riding his bike around the yard

We laid them down to nap, but they just started playing.

Izzy gets cuddles, too.

Sparklers with Daddy. I promise no one was harmed.

Grandpa time

Independence Day 2013

The car ride was a little tough, since I just wanted to move around, but once we reached the cabin, it was wonderful. I loved spending time with family, playing in the shallow water, advancing phases in Phase 10, watching the fireworks, and waking up early in the mornings to sit on the porch swing. Grandpa pulled out the rented big rig to move some concrete as part of his vacation. I reached 34 weeks along in the pregnancy, and woke up a few times during the nights, but I didn't mind the opportunity to see the sun rise before going back to sleep. I'm glad Zak rode one of the wave runners, which he looks forward to doing all year, because he, Dad, and Grandpa had to go into the cold lake during a storm to make sure they wouldn't go anywhere as the wind blew. We were pretty blessed with the weather, because on the 4th of July it rained around noon, but cleared up in time for games on the porch and watching the neighborhood fireworks...some very impressive neighborhood fireworks. We went into town to see a movie, and I picked up some white baby clothes to tie-dye. Grandma brought a whole tie-dye kit, with lots of options. We didn't get to it until the last night, so we added dye to the clothes in the dark, which made it a great surprise in the morning when we finally saw our artwork. Zak and I didn't want to travel too close to Baby's due date, we'll probably stay put until after she comes. I'm grateful we celebrated our 4th of July with family at the cabin.