Archive for July, 2008

I love a parade

Really, I do. I have no good excuse, but the Fourth of July parade in the small Nebraska town near my Mom’s didn’t disappoint. In fact, both Katie and I found ourselves a bit choked up as the color guard started down the street and the crowd sang the national anthem. It’s probably a good thing my soft-hearted husband stayed back at the lake to fish.

I thought this little girl riding in the firetruck with her dad was especially sweet.

The Red Hat Society, which I believe is derived from the poem that starts, “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple.” It seems to me that the open bed of a moving truck isn’t the safest place to stash a group of elderly ladies, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.

If Mom didn’t look so darn cute in this photo, I’d make a “speaking of elderly ladies” joke here. Since she was nice enough to put up with us for four days (and we’d like to come back), I think I’d better not.

One of the many signs on this very old implement read, “Happy birthday, America.”

This trailer holds what has to be a majority of the cousins attending this family’s reunion.


This float was sponsored by a brand new organic farm in the area. We attended their open house the following day–photos to come.

A poignant reminder of the importance of the holiday:


Happy 4th!

Happy (belated) Fourth of July!

We spent the weekend in Nebraska at my mom’s, and I have many more photos to share in the coming days.

Also, a belated happy birthday to Laura, who celebrated on Friday as well!

And later that same night…

Summer storms

I took these photos about 10 minutes ago. This storm passed through quickly, dropping half-dollar sized hail downtown. It’s the first in a long line this evening.

First bites

Blueberries!

MKE to DCA…and back to MCI

On Thursday of last week, we drove back to Milwaukee to board another flight–this time to Washington, D.C. for Bryan’s cousin’s wedding. Thursday was our ninth anniversary. How better to celebrate than with a flight halfway across the country with a toddler and an infant? I ordered us champagne on the flight, a gesture to which my dear husband responded by lamenting, “I was really looking forward to juice.”

We joined in the wedding festivities Friday and Saturday morning, then headed into the city with Jess Saturday afternoon. Ava wanted to visit the National Aquarium, or “fish zoo,” as she called it, but the wait was more than two hours. Thankfully, she was distracted by this large ship and a cupcake.

We headed home Sunday, and look who just happened to waiting for us in the airport in Kansas City.

I’m not sure who was happier.