Reorganization and Fireworks

We left West Virginia and headed west to Ohio for the last week of June and the first of July. We spent a weekend at Grandma's house, and then went to a hotel for the week. This trip was a bit different than any we have ever taken since we took 2 vehicles all the kids and ALL the dogs. Whew. We all had a rough week in some ways, but it was a fun and productive time as well. On Monday, we left Zeke at Grandma's house for the week, and moved into a hotel to be closer to my brother's house. We spent the week helping my brother and his wife do some much needed repairs and organization of their house. Zeke spent the week hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa, and going to Vacation Bible School He had a GREAT time. It is amazing how quickly life can become very crowded and over run when you try to live with four young boys and 2 adults in a 900 sq ft home. We worked from early in the morning to LATE at night every day from Monday to Friday. Wednesday night my brothers and Chris went golfing, and Thursday night my brother and Chris watched the kids so that Kristi and I could go to dinner. We did a reverse progressive dinner. First, we went to Friendly ice cream and had dessert, then we went to Carvers for our dinner, and last we went to Applebees for half-price appetizers. We had a really good time. I was so tired. At the end of the week they moved back into their house, and we went back to my parents for 4th of July weekend.

We spent the day with both my brother's families, at my parents house. We had BBQ ribs made by Chris and a whole bunch of other yummy stuff. Even though it was a bit chilly and rainy out, all the cousins enjoyed the new little above ground pool my parents put in. Then, we set off a TON of fireworks that Chris and my dad bought. It was so much fun, even though It was a long day at the end of a long week. We were exhausted.

The Monday after the 4th of July we left for Florida. We had to drive all the way in one day, which is 12 hours. The worst part was that we were in two separate cars so both of us had to drive the whole way with no break. Then add to that the more frequent stops for dogs and kids etc. . . It was a long trip, but we managed to get in and in bed before midnight. This was important because I had to get up with Chris at 4 am to take him to the airport so he could fly out for work. That is how my month in Florida began.