Family Fun, Wild Animals, Fireworks and More!

Our family had a wonderful and exhausting Fourth of July weekend! I took so many photos that it's taken me awhile to download them all (and upload them here) to share with everyone.

It was such a great weekend, in fact, that the past several days have been kind of a letdown. I've been rather sad since I know it will be months before I see my parents and have moments like that again. We don't see our families much and Vivian doesn't see her grandparents very often. The visits are just a few times a year so we cherish them!

When family comes to visit us, we do more in 2-3 days than we do in four months' time! Hahaha! My parents arrived on July 2 and stayed through July 5. Below are the photo highlights and a recap of the awesome time we had with them.

On their first night, we didn't do much except talk, laugh and drink. Kirk and my dad had quite a few glasses of Crown Royal. We tried to get my mom drunk - it's a goal of mine. I think she had one and a half amaretto sour cocktails but she is a slow sipper, so nothing happened. Bummer!

But here is proof that we tried to intoxicate her:



It is such a joy watching Viv interact with my parents and vice versa. Watching their faces light up truly made me tear up and made me homesick and wish that we lived closer to them.

Fun moments that were captured on film during the visit (awwww!):





I Love My Dad!





Friday morning, after everyone slept in from too much liquid indulgence (well, except me that is), we decided to head to the local Wildlife Museum.

Here are some highlights from our wildlife (although stuffed and dead) adventure:







Hello Mr. Moose!










Our Family at the Wildlife Museum


After the museum, we went to the toy store and then had lunch. Later on, mom and I did some shopping. It was a busy, busy day.

On the 4th, my dad fried speckled trout and crawfish for us. He is a master chef!







The guys did the cooking while the women stayed inside making the side dish (white beans with sausage). We also watched the Coney Island hotdog eating competition on Sportscenter, LOL!



But we all reaped the benefits of the ooooh, so tasty meal! Yummy! (A heart attack on a plate!!!)



Later on, we all needed a nap but Vivian kept us up with her endless amounts of energy!






And even later after that, Kirk put on a fireworks show for us!



Looks like our very own mini mushroom cloud!


Vivian loved it! She even clapped when she saw the sparks, fire and smoke.





Finally, we wore her out!



Good night Moon!