July 4th (2018)

We are headed on a trip soon so I wanna get some blogging stuff up before I am inundated with vacation photos as well. Also the fact that these are oh, 6 weeks old mean I should probably finally get them down for posterity…

Here’s all the 4th of July goodness that I could squeeze into one blog post. First up: the traditional preschool 4th of July parade. Linus seemed to think of it as a speed track rather than a parade, but thankfully he was able to keep from running anyone over or causing some sort of preschool bike pile up.

Then the actual day itself. My sister Coco invited several of us over and had a big ole shindig. It was the first time we had been there since they had their yard remodel, and holy crap you guys: her outdoor living space is Life Goals. That beautiful handmade gate leads you to the breezeway between the house and workshop, which they turned into an amazing outdoor kitchen.

Seeeeee??

Needless to say, we had a great time. My parents and brother’s family were visiting and all of Coco’s kids and their significant others were there as well. And also all the doggies.

We took a little tour of the workshop and also taught Olivia the ways of Wisconsin.

(I took lots of baby pictures so be forewarned.)

The kids found the pool. The kids loved the pool. The kids cried when we had to leave the pool to go home.

My beautiful Mahni I miss her sweet face.

(By the way I also took lots of doggo pictures.)

Like I said, we had a blast. I also remember this trip fondly because it was the last time I let myself pig out – I’d probably gained mehhhh, 5-ish lbs. at that point throughout the summer, as one does, I mean hello all the delicious food and beer and BBQing and ice cream.

But I wanted to reign it back in before our vacation (where I am likely to gain all sorts of weight because food and beer and BBQing and ice cream, but in a new location). So the day after the 4th party I started a diet, cut out the beer, and hit the gym pretty hard five days a week. Thus far I have lost 11 lbs. and look forward to my vacation.

Because I’m gonna go HAM and gain it all back, rest assured.

Expect a few more posts a’coming in the next few days, folks. I’m finally gonna get things caught up while I eat my kale salads! It’s a goal! I swears!