Friday the Thirteenth

In addition to being some sort of superstitious holiday with the horror flick crowd, this Friday the Thirteenth was also Brad's birthday AND free chicken day at Chick-Fil-A.  All you had to do was wear some sort of cow costume and you got free chicken.  Luckily one of my friends gave us some cow headbands for the kids.  Brad and I did not dress up.  So, we headed out for our free chicken (Brad and I actually got Thai food) and then came home for probably the best birthday cake in the history of the earth. 

A good time was had by all.

Let Freedom Ring!

Happy Independence Day ya'll!

The time a real life cowboy (and his sidekick) came to visit

My Dad grew up on a ranch.  Several ranches.  In fact, when I was born we lived on a farm with cows.  Apparently I liked to go with my Dad in the evening and check on the cows.  I don't remember any of it.  When my Dad comes to visit though, he makes sure to tell us his cowboy tales, and educate us on horses and this time he brought a lasso!  I guess, at almost four years old, he thought it was high time the Little Mister started learning to rope....well, something.  We practiced on lawn furniture and made it very clear that he was never to rope Baby Sister.  He had to be reminded a few times :)

Preliminary instruction

Working on his form

He got it!!!!

Except he cheats :)

Grandad showing us his trick roping

Oh and also Grandma (the sidekick) came to visit too.

What's a family picture without cheese and fruit snacks?

Taking a break on the swing.

 They had just finished practicing on the balance beam

And we took Grandma swimming too.

On a completely unrelated note we have a birds nest in our grapevine.  All the birds have now left the nest but the kids loved checking on them every day.  And really, birds nests are so intriguing.  I don't know if I could create something that good with my hands and opposable thumbs and regular crafting supplies.  But these birds do it with twigs and spit and just their beaks!  Amazing.

Now I'm caught up.  Good Night.

Staycation

Memorial Day weekend seems like the perfect time to get away.  However, I have learned over the past couple of years that it is also the perfect time to stay home, catch up on housework or yard work, and enjoy the local festivities happening right in our backyard (literally). 

Friday:

Watching the Scottish Games parade downtown.

Sharing an ice-cream sundae.

Strolling around downtown and looking at the falls.

 Saturday:

Work, work,work.

Dinner on the back deck while waiting for the balloons to come.

Just when we were about to give up they started rising above the rooftops.

They were so low and so close to our house that we decided to chase a few to see where they landed.

One landed in a field near our house and we went to check it out.

After balloon chasing, and against probably any one's better judgement, we let the kids snuggle up and watch a movie downstairs.  The Mister is a champion movie watcher and can sit still and even fall asleep.  Baby Sister on the other hand, needs some work in that department.

Sunday:

Church

Lunch

Nap

Dinner

S'mores

 

Monday:

Family bike ride where we saw a copperhead

BBQ with great friends

Sorry, no photos :)