Wow.
Things have been nuts.
But then again, isn't that how it always is after I get home?
It usually takes about 3 weeks for things to get back to normal.
It usually takes about 3 weeks for things to get back to normal.
- A week for the physical effects of jet lag.
- Another week for the mental effects of jet lag.
- A week trying to catch up on everything missed during the trip and what I missed during the 2 weeks after the trip.
Unfortunately this 3rd week fell on the week of the 4th of July.
This year it will take 4 weeks. At least 4.
This year it will take 4 weeks. At least 4.
Independence Day is nearly bigger than Christmas for our family.
We love it.
It is dear to us.
There are many activities during the days that lead up to and follow the 4th of July.
First and foremost, my little man Isaac and I went to the BYU library.
It was a blast.
He especially liked finding books in different languages, reading maps, and taking elevators.
First and foremost, my little man Isaac and I went to the BYU library.
It was a blast.
He especially liked finding books in different languages, reading maps, and taking elevators.
This year we had Grandma Wheeler's birthday at our house.
It was fantastic!!!
We were so sick of hamburger barbecues, so I suggested a kabob barbecue.
It was soooooo good!
I ended up being in charge of most of the food.
We had chicken salad; greek salad; chicken and beef kabobs with peppers, onions, pineapple, and other stuff; frozen pineapple; baked potatoes; corn on the cob; and of course, chocolate birthday cake.
It was a wonderful day and things went perfectly.
On the 4th, the Padre braved a 4am rainstorm to save seats for the parade.
When we dropped a phone to him at 6:15am he was sleeping in one of our seats on the side of the road.
It was adorable.
Cita and Stephie headed to the parade seats with the extended family at 6:30am while the rest of us drove over to the Freedom Run starting line.
The race was really fun.
Juania got 4th overall and had some sweet hurdle moves at the end of the race.
He was on the wrong side at the finish line so he vaulted himself, while he was at a full sprint, over the flag line so he would pass the finish line on the 5k side (rather than the 10k) side.
Apparently people where cheering wildly at his awesomeness.
Deruda and Morgan came in close together.
In order to beat Morgan, Deruda had to really sprint at the end.
The result was him barfing at the finish line.
Karen and the Padre came in next.
He mastered "the shuffle" for this race and did fantastic!!!
Bug came in next 1.5 minutes before I did.
She was bummed about her time but both her feet were injured.
I was impressed she was able to run at all.
I was able to stay with Bug for the first mile and change but then I had to walk a bit.
Going cold turkey on a 5k after 2 weeks of jet lag is not very pleasant.
Despite the walking I beat my time from last year!
Carolyn and Hunter came in next together and Grandpa Wheeler finished it off for our familia!
♥ ♥ ♥
After the run we walked down to where the rest of the familia was sitting and sat down to watch the parade.
The parade was awesome but seemed really long.
We were all so tired from the run.
♥ ♥ ♥
After the parade we all went home and napped for a few hours.
In the evening we went out by the BYU Broadcasting building and camped out at our normal spot for the fireworks.
It was soooo much fun!
We played games, ate pizza and snacks, slept, and Deruda even brought his guitar.
We all had so much fun!!!
♥ ♥ ♥
The next day Juanita and Morgan headed to Canada,
Deruda left for a camping trip,
and the rest of us stayed home to work, play, and watch Mother Nature's fireworks.
We had an absolutely fantastic thunder and lightning storm.
Actually we had 2.
The second one came while we were watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
The lightning seemed to hit at the really cool parts of the movie and the thunder gave excellent background noise.
____________________________
It has been a crazy week but absolutely wonderful.
Today I am playing catch up and on Monday the real work starts.
AHHHHH!!!
♥ ♥ ♥
After the run we walked down to where the rest of the familia was sitting and sat down to watch the parade.
The parade was awesome but seemed really long.
We were all so tired from the run.
After a while the Lizzinator and I just played with my camera.
She wanted to make all of these faces.
She has to be one of the most expressive little girls ever.
We had a blast.
After a huge barbecue the day before, an evening bike ride, a 4am call time at the parade route, a 5k, and a walk back to the familia, the Padre was rightfully exhausted.
So we didn't mind that he took a nap during the parade.
I just took a picture.
After the parade we all went home and napped for a few hours.
In the evening we went out by the BYU Broadcasting building and camped out at our normal spot for the fireworks.
It was soooo much fun!
We played games, ate pizza and snacks, slept, and Deruda even brought his guitar.
We all had so much fun!!!
♥ ♥ ♥
The next day Juanita and Morgan headed to Canada,
Deruda left for a camping trip,
and the rest of us stayed home to work, play, and watch Mother Nature's fireworks.
We had an absolutely fantastic thunder and lightning storm.
Actually we had 2.
The second one came while we were watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
The lightning seemed to hit at the really cool parts of the movie and the thunder gave excellent background noise.
____________________________
It has been a crazy week but absolutely wonderful.
Today I am playing catch up and on Monday the real work starts.
AHHHHH!!!
♥ ♥ ♥
