4th of July Weekend

Happy Independence Day!

This was Dan's first 4th of July. I must say that it is probably one of my favorite experiences since moving to Wisconsin. My first 4th of July living here was a bit rough for me. Mom's birthday is on the 4th so we always had lots of fun doing things with family. I moved to WI June of 2007, and the 4th fell on a Wednesday that year. I had just started working so I had no vacation available. Jason did an amazing job making that first 4th of July memorable for me. He came home from his shift with burgers to grill, potato salad, chips, and even margarita glasses to enjoy our drinks in. We watched the fireworks from the house in Watertown and I distinctly remember the field behind the house being lit up by hundreds of fireflies. It was perfect and beautiful.

This year was just as spectacular because I got to share the day with Dan and experience everything again for the first time. Jason had to work, so Dan and I spent the morning and afternoon together. West Bend's parade started at 9:30 that morning and I walked over to main street with friends of ours. They have two little boys, one who is only 2 weeks old! You forget how tiny they are right in the beginning. They grow so fast!

Yummy - toy cellphone.

Waiting for the parade with the Heaney's.

The parade was a huge hit with Dan. He loved watching everyone go by. He was dancing with the bands and was waving his arms up and down in excitement. I wish I had gotten more pictures, but you can only do so much when you have a little one in your arms!

Jason came home on time from his shift. Well, at least I think he did. Dan and I took a 3 hour nap that afternoon! While Dan and I were napping, Jason got supper ready. Grilled corn on the cob, burgers, pasta salad, and chips. Oh, and dutch apple pie for desert! Yum! Soon it was time for Jason to get ready for his shift covering the fireworks. Dan and I got lucky and found him before it got dark so we snuck in a family picture :)

Happy 4th of July!

Dan and I found a spot on the grass to play around on while we waited for the fireworks to start. The blanket we brought is his Great-Grandpa Solarz' blanket. He was a Packer fan just like Jason is. I'm a Packer fan as far as enjoying watching them play. While I love it when they win, I'm not heartbroken when they lose. That goes for most sports anyway. I digress. 

Enjoying the beautiful weather waiting for sunset.

Selfie with Mama :)

 We didn't last too long at the fireworks, though. Dan got scared within the first minute of them being lit off. Poor kid didn't like the noise. He watched for a moment and quickly turned into me and tried climbing up higher and higher to get away from the noise. So after a minute, I packed us up and walked back to the car. I knew Dan wouldn't want to be let down so I carried him all the way back. I had to park quite a ways away because of all the people there already, so needless to say, it was quite a workout! Silver lining, it was SUPER easy to get out and back home! Dan fell asleep on the walk back and didn't hardly wake when I transferred him into his car seat. All the excitement of the day plus all the fresh air makes for one tired baby!

Out cold.

 Saturday we ventured down to Indiana where most of Jason's family lives. Each year over the 4th of July weekend, they hold a family reunion. Jason is the 5th generation out of the family we get together with. This was my 3rd time going. Apparently when Jason and his brother Joe were younger, close to 90-100 people attended the reunion each year. Lots of kids to play with, games to play, etc. Now there is anywhere from 15-30 people who show up each year. I only know Jason's immediate family, which is the same for Jason. He knows names of some of the other people, but because he hardly sees them, there is very little recognition. Regardless, it is nice to get together with family.

With Great-Grandma Pollard

The picture below is the best one we got. One of Jason's relatives took the picture for us. It was either this one where everyone but me is looking at the dogs, or one where nobody is ready for the picture. I guess that's what you get when you have someone else take a picture for you.

Pollard Family.

Jason and I stayed with his Aunt Janelle and Cousin Austin. Everyone lives very close to one another, which is super nice. I miss having family minutes away vs. hours.

Playing in the basket that holds the dogs toys.

He loves his remote controls!

Before we left on Sunday, we stopped and had breakfast with his Grandma and Grandpa, and visited with his Uncle and Aunt Kevin and Kathy before hitting the road.

Great-Grandma Pollard, Dan, and Jason

Great-Grandma telling Dan secrets.

Dan and Great-Grandpa Pollard

Jason, Dan, and Great-Grandpa Pollard

Dan with his Great-Aunt Kathy

Kevin, Kathy, and a tired Dan

It was a wonderful weekend celebrating Independence day and visiting family. By the time we got back, we even had the opportunity to start getting the family room downstairs put back together! I'll soon be able to post pictures of the renovation. We were able to watch TV down there for the first time since Easter Weekend. It was very strange. Jason made the comment it felt like we were just moving in for the first time into a new house! I can't wait to share :)

Happy Birthday Mom! Happy Independence Day!