Happy Independence Day 2009!

Happy Birthday, USA!! And, Happy Birthday former President Calvin Coolidge. I just learned he shared his birthday with our country on the Today Show. Anyway, this is one of the first Fourths where we really had nothing "scheduled." So, here's a run-down on what we did over the weekend.

We went to the West Des Moines Parade for the first time! We watched it from my friend, Greta's house. We came unprepared to say the least....and the rain added extra "fun" to the night. But, in the end, we had a great time. Maddox sat on Joe's lap for an hour and a half and that never happens. And, Joey got a huge bag full of candy so he was pleased.

In honor of the holiday, the boys wore their "Pentagon" t-shirts. Joe's good friend, Jeff, who graduated with him from law school and studied for the Bar Exam with him, now works for the Department of Defense in Washington D.C. I like to say "Joe's friend Jeff- who works for the Pentagon...." a lot. I think it sounds bad-ass. Although, Jeff is about as far from bad-ass as it gets. He's one of those good to the core types. Anyway, when he came to visit last week, he brought the boys Pentagon t-shirts. Very patriotic.

We had a Saturday morning play date with Carson and Grace- my friend Georgia's kids! Carson is just a nice little boy and very well-behaved. The boys both wanted to go outside but the weather was dreary and gloomy and rainy...maybe next time! We had lunch at her house, and then headed home for naps!

Uncle Jeff came to visit on his way back to Davenport. The best thing about having Jeff as an uncle is that he loves to play still - and I think he loves the Superheros and Transformers and weapons and wrestling that the boys are into. When I watch Joey play with his "men," it reminds me of Jeff when he was little. When we got up this morning, Maddox said to me, "Where Jeff go?" And, I said, "He went home." And, Maddox said, "Come back, Jeff, Come Back!"

Then that night, we went to Bobbi and Joe's to grill out, and then did a few of our own fireworks. Then, I took Maddox back to bed, and Joey and Joe stayed for the West Des Moines fireworks. I watched them on television from New York City. Pretty sure those were similar to West Des Moines.....

Today, the sun finally came out! So, we went to church. And, on the way home, we called Joe's cousin, Scott, who has a pool at his house and invited ourselves right over! Then, we proceeded to invite my sister, Joe's brother and Joe's parents....lucky for us, Scott loves having people over and loves that we use his pool because his kids are older and they don't use it as much. So, we swam and laid out and soaked up the sun, and enjoyed every minute. The boys were SO easy. Joey has made so much progress swimming - jumps off the board, swims (with floaties on), isn't scared at all....and in the short time Grace and Maya were with us, they made progress too! Grace doesn't plug her nose when she jumps anymore and Maya will hold on to you with one hand and swim - and she will let you let go of her with her floaties on. If only we had a pool in OUR backyard....

And, tonight, we are preparing for the week ahead. Joe is getting ready for a "Brothers and Dad" fishing trip to the Boundary Waters. So, he has some packing and organizing to do. And, I'm getting ready for the week ahead to - figuring out schedules, who goes where when, and everything else. We have a fun weekend ahead - with my cousin Ashley's bridal shower and bachelorette party!

Happy Fourth to all! God Bless the USA!