July 4th

Some of you already know that Joe's Dad has been experiencing some health problems. I won't go into detail since we do not yet know the cause, extent, or solution to the problem, but the past couple of weeks have been a scary mixture of emergency room visits, doctor's appointments, and hospital stays. Needless to say, Joe's stress level has been stretched far beyond its 'normal' limits. He really needed a break from everything. That is exactly what our fourth was...a break for all of us.
We left out on Friday afternoon headed down to the river with golf cart in tow. We arrived just in time for some supper, unpacking, and then we were off to bed.
Saturday was a fun, full, busy, yet relaxing day with my immediate and extended family. We got up early for the parade (We were just observers this year...stress free for Mommy!) and the boys collected more candy than they did at Halloween. Micah did not get to see the parade as he fell asleep just as the first float came by and woke up just as the last float came by. Joe loaded the golf cart down with chairs, umbrellas, towels, sunscreen and a cooler and we went to the beach to play in the sand and surf. Jonah has NO FEAR! That was a little stressful, but oh so fun to watch him have a good time. After we had our fill of salt water, we went back to the house for lots of good food and a LONG nap. Saturday evening we were back at the beach for the fireworks show, more swimming, and fiddler crab gathering.
Sunday morning we went to church on the water (How great is that?!!), had lunch, packed up and came home. It was exactly what we all needed, but was way too short.
When we got home and were unpacking, I discovered that Noah had brought home the pail full of fiddler crabs that he had collected at the beach Saturday evening. There was no way those things were going to stay in my house, so Joe and Noah took them down to the creek so that they could "swim" home. Oh the lovely adventures of raising boys...even on a relaxing weekend.