Dream-like Holiday Weekend!

Let me start by saying this: Saturday, July 4th, 2009, was the first Independence Day Dan has had off in 10 years.

TEN YEARS!

What a treat! Add to that family visits, great neighbors, and sun, sun, sun, and you get the title of this post.

My big brother, Doug, and his wife Stephanie, and their baby, Baby Addie, were in town from Thursday night to Sunday morning. My brother, Tim, and his partner, Amy, were in town from Friday night to Saturday evening. We had a cookout with my dad on Friday night at our house, complete with grilled chicken and veggies, homemade oatmeal bread, sweet tea, and brownie sundaes. Vi was so excited to play with her little cousin, who is not so little anymore! They would kiss each other, and Vi would smile and call her by name.

Saturday we went to Smiling Hill Farm, upon hearing a rumour that they now have baby goats. It was true! Four little baby goats, with their little baby goat horns growing in...covered in something yellow...anyone know about baby goat horns? Now, I LOVE goats and baby goats, right? Everyone knows that. Well, there was something even better than a baby goat there - a baby cow! Sampson, the baby cow, was born May 13th. He likes having his chin scratched and giving cross-eyed, rough-tongued kisses. Sweet, sweet, sweet baby cow!

That night we went to my mom's for lobster. We had more bread, steamers. corn, and spanikopita. Yum! We tried to get Vi to go to bed there so we could have some adult time, and play Balderdash, but to no avail. We decided to head home, assuming she'd fall asleep en route. By the time we got to Portland, the fireworks were just about to start, and Vi was still wide awake. We found a parking spot by Payson Park, and had a blanket in the car, so we got out and introduced Vi to fireworks! She kept trying to say "sparkly," and said "Happy to YOU!" about a couple of them. It was great!

Sunday we had a birthday lunch for Dan's step-mother, and so Vi missed her nap. She stayed up really late, too, because we ended up having an impromptu cookout with our next-door neighbors. Adam showed up with some Corona and chased Vi around - to her squealingly-happy delight - while Dan and I ate with both hands. Hanging out on the porch with our friends and neighbors, good food, happy kiddo, warm weather...it was great!

Vi crashed around 8:30; I know it's a quick "down" when the lullabye CD is only on track 2 when she's asleep! Dan and I watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding and The Bourne Supremacy, then crashed ourselves, insanely happy.