4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

FRIDAY:
My half day at work. I met with Darwin for lunch one last time at LC's BBQ. I can't begin to describe how amazing my beef sandwich was. Later in the afternoon, the family went swimming. If I am not mistaken I believe this was Turkey's first time in a pool. Vernal had plans that night. I put the boys to bed and then watched THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.

SATURDAY:
Ran errands to prepare for FAMILY DINNER that took us to Sam's Club....got the smiley faces again on our receipt. Made trip to Coldstone creamery - they were giving away free sample and a chance to win ice cream for a year; we didn't. Made trip to Hy-vee to pick up smaller item stuff not needed in bulk quantity and then made trip to Werner's German/Scando meat market to pick up some polish suasages - the best in town. Later, Goose and I went to a park and hiked through the woods. After the kids were in bed I made a trip to Best Buy and Borders to look at music. I came away with the new Erin Mckeown cd - We Will Become Like Birds. Vernal was tired and went to bed; I watched FINDING NEVERLAND and loved it. Johnny Depp is great and certain scenes had me in tears.

SUNDAY:
Went to church - Sunday School and then the service. I was talking to my brother-in-law who plays bass and his brother who plays drums and my cousin's husband who sings in the background right before musical worship began and they were daring me to join them on stage and play the bongos. I don't know how to play the bongos nor keep a beat. Their bongo player was in Mexico. A lot of people were gone on vacation, so why not. I was up on stage with a sheepish grin; it was great fun.
The first Sunday of the month, all my family in town get together for a big FAMILY DINNER. We take turns hosting at our homes. This month was our turn and we decided in the spirit of the Holiday to do an all American cookout picnic. We were at Antioch Park near the new playground. We grabed 4 picnic tables to put together and grilled burger, sausages, and hot dogs. Everyone brought salads, chips, sides, watermellon, desserts, and drinks to make a picnic right. We played some bocce ball and then had a waterballon toss game that turned into all out fight until the balloons were gone.
That night Vernal and I watched HOTEL RWANDA. Wow, we are lucky. The movie did a good job in showing the atrocities without exploiting them.

MONDAY:
I got to sleep in until 9:30. (Thank you, Vernal.) Took it easy. Vernal had plans for lunch and a movie with her sisters and mom. I got the boys down for a nap and read a bit. The main plan for the day was watching fireworks. We decided to go to Corporate Woods. They always put on a good show and is a fun festive atmosphere. I like crowds of people, cheesy cover bands, and carnival vendors. We brought our chairs, blankets, and some snakes. We also ran into a group from church...(good thing that I wasn't wearing my short cutoff shorts with a pack of candy cigarettes rolled up my t-shirt sleave while holding a luke warm ice tea in a clear plastic cup all the while getting a temporary tattoo on fire safety from the firemans booth.) I would hate to make someone stumble.