July 4th Holiday...
This year for the 4th of July, we drove down to North Caroline yet again....but this time we were fortunate to spend it with our long time friends Chris and Jessica, who currently live in England. It was so fun reminiscing on old times and making new and memorable times. It was even more exciting because we had Isabel with us. She had so much fun. From swimming to hiking to playing with 12 dogs all in the same room to riding her first bicycle and even seeing giant robots, Isabel was exhausted by the end of our trip. She was out the first 5 minutes on the car ride home, and slept for 3 and a half of the 5 hours it took us to get home.
Isabel is such a good swimmer.
She didn't want any help from anyone while she floated around. Her feet were going a mile a minute, as usual! This took much concentrating and planning...So did this!Josh had these goggles on first, but of course Isabel had to try it out. She put them on herself outside the pool and found Josh to catch her as she jumped in the pool.
Fireworks were a downward spiral for Isabel. After a couple of sparklers, one lite up a little too much and scared her. She didn't quite like the show after that. I am sure the loudness of the fireworks combined with a long day of swimming didn't help. She sat in Jessica's lap holding on to her neck saying "hold you, hold you... go to bed"Josh looks like he got a little to much chlorine in his eyes!Just a good picture. Man she is a cutie!Chris got the Rainbow Sparkler! He ran around the yard while it went up in flames. It was classic.We went to a town called Ashville, or the Hippie town, as they called it. They had mom and pop stores all over the place. We stopped at a book store that had a variety to children's books. Mostly like the ones I remember reading when I was younger. Isabel was eating it up. I really believe we could have left her there while we walked the town. Here, I told her it was time to go. She said, "no mom, i not finished yet!"
She spotted the bracelets and jewelry. I can't remember the name on this store, but it reminded me of southern Utah. When we first walked in they had a picture of the Red Rocks, which looked like the Moab area of Utah. I got a little home sick.The guys went off and did their thing while the girls stopped at a "Chocolate Lounge." It was so fun. Everything Chocolate. Jessica ordered a lavender creme brule and a sipping chocolate infused with lavender. I ordered water, Only because I had just eaten a chocolate marshmallow and a caramel from another chocolate store. Plus, we drank bottled coke and ate pizza from a place called Mellow Mushroom, that was wonderful. Let's just say, after this trip and need to step it up on burning some calories.We found a general store that sold basically everything. We hit the toy section first, naturally! Isabel immediately spotted the Ariel tin purse. I was strong and said she could only have one thing, candy or the purse. Surprisingly, she opted for the candy and ironically she wanted a Princess Fiona Pez! But once we got out of the store, Jessica pulled out the same purse i put back. My plan of compromise didn't really work that day. Thanks Jessica! Guess I will try another day.Great family picture, not even planned.This is a funny story....Isabel loves to do group hugs. After being away from Josh for a short time with the girls, Isabel wanted to be held and hug Josh. After a long hug, she looked at me and said, "group hug." So I leaned in and she started hugging us. Then she made us kiss. She put her little hands on the back of out heads and pushed us together. It was so funny. Josh and I both turned towards her and gave her kisses too. Thanks Jessica for quickly taking these candid shots. Perfect, no need to go to a photographer anymore for a family picture.Jessica's dad is a pilot and wanted to take Josh and I up in his 2 man plane. We also got to see many other toys that live in his hanger bay.The only thing going through my mind here was, "oh please don't touch anything....how much is this going to cost!"
How would it be....Again, please don't touch anything...This here car, is a Shelby Cobra. My step-dads dream car or at least one of them. I sent him a picture from my phone and his reply was, "are you driving that home to me?" Um No"Checklist: Don't do anything stupid" Perfect answer to all life's trials.I think Isabel fell in love with Chris. Only it wasn't Chris, it was "kiss." They played a game called "abo" the entire trip. Not quite sure how it was played, but they had so much fun playing it, and it never got old. I am sure it did for "kiss" but not IsabelHere I go, up up in a plane. I even got to fly for awhile. It was such a rush! Jeff did a wing over which made me feel weightless. I remember my hands slowly lifting off from my legs like gravity was upside down. It was so fun. Thanks again Jeff.Isabel was spoiled by both Chris and Jessica, and their parents. De-programming has begun at our house. Thanks again...
