Little Patriots

I HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF 4TH OF JULY BBQs SPENT IN THE BACKYARDS OF AUNT'S AND UNCLE'S HOMES IN MILWAUKEE. I SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER MY UNCLE TAKING US UP ONE AT A TIME TO VIEW FIREWORKS ATOP THEIR FLAT-ROOFED HOME. SINCE LIVING IN MADISON, I BELIEVE JEFF HAS TAKEN CALL MOST 4TH OF JULY WEEKENDS. I HAVE SEEN ONLY A FEW FIREWORK DISPLAYS FROM AFAR. HOWEVER, THIS YEAR JEFF WAS ABLE TO SPLIT HIS WEEKEND OF CALL AND WE WERE ABLE TO JOIN FAMILY IN MILWAUKEE FOR A 4TH OF JULY BBQ. I WAS SO HAPPY TO INTRODUCE JOEY TO EXTENDED FAMILY, AND FOR CHARLOTTE TO SPEND TIME WITH ALL THE AUNTIES! MANY PRECIOUS MEMORIES WERE MADE INCLUDING, CHARLOTTE'S FIRST WATER GUN FIGHT, LEARNING ALL OF THE AUNTIE'S NAMES, LISTENING TO THE AUNTS SING PATRIOTIC TUNES, TAKING WALKS WITH AUNT BARB, PLAYING IN AUNT KATHY'S ARMS, AND DODGING WATER WITH AUNT BILLIE. JOEY RECEIVED LOTS OF ATTENTION, KISSES AND AFFECTION FROM HIS GREAT AUNTS. JEFF AND I ENJOYED GOOD FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, AND THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING OUR SWEET KIDS INTERACT WITH FAMILY. NANY AND HER SISTERS TREATED US TO A FEW HOURS ALONE, SO WE COULD PLAY GOLF, WHICH WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE AND ENJOY.

NO WEEKEND WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A TRIP TO THE FARMER'S MARKET AS WELL. JEFF WAS ABLE TO JOIN US FOR A DANISH, COFFEE AND QUICK WALK AROUND THE BLOCK BEFORE BEGIN PAGED BACK TO THE HOSPITAL. EVEN CHARLOTTE HAS GROWN TO BE CAUTIOUS OF HIS PAGER AND WHEN IT GOES OFF SHE COMMENTS, "OH NO...DADDY'S PAGER!!!" :) WE MADE THE MOST OF THE DAY AND EVEN SPENT A FEW HOURS AT THE POOL TOGETHER. I'M GETTING QUITE GOOD AT BALANCING TWO BABES AT THE POOL. THE THREE OF US ENJOY THE WATER, SUN AND FRESH AIR VERY MUCH!

IT WAS A LOVELY WEEKEND. WE ARE ALWAYS THANKFUL WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER AS A FAMILY!

JOEY TAKES IN THE SCENES AND SOUNDS AT THE MARKET.

I CAUGHT CHARLOTTE IN THE MIDDLE OF TELLING A STORY ABOUT SOMETHING "YUCKY." OH THE STORIES SHE TELLS!

SITTING PROUD WITH HER "SPARKLE" DONUT.

LITTLE MAN AWAITS HIS BREAKFAST.

WEARING HIS PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE AND BLUE "WHO" ONESIE.

GEARING UP FOR A FRIEND'S BBQ.

JOEY ENAMORED WITH HIS BIG SIS.

CHAR PUTS ON A SHOW FOR HER LITTLE BRO. SHE KEEPS HIM IN STITCHES.

LOVING THE ATTENTION.

(I ADORE WATCHING THESE TWO INTERACT. THEY HAVE SUCH STRONG AFFECTION FOR EACH OTHER.)

JULY 4, 2010

WATER FIGHT ENSUES...

CHAR, A TAD SKEPTICAL, OBSERVES FROM A SAFE SPOT.

"I MEAN, AM I SUPPOSED TO ENJOY GETTING WATER PELTED IN MY FACE?"

"YOU BET I AM!!!"

IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR CHARLOTTE TO JOIN IN THE WATER FUN.

BEFORE LEAVING CASA DE LARSON.

CHARLOTTE LOVES THIS LITTLE SPOT IN "HER" ROOM. I HEAR THIS PICTURE.