Fourth of July

I was just looking at my post on Fourth of July last year. I cannot believe its already been a year! We are living in Temple again this Independence Day, just like last year, but we are not just here for the summer, we are staying for the next 2 years. I have declared us officially moved in - all the boxes have either been recycled or stored in our awesome (and surprisingly large) outdoor patio closet. We have not hung pictures yet, but things are cleaned up and organized enough that I am willing to let people into our home without embarrassment. :)

Last year we needed to stay in Temple as Drew was working on research at Scott and White. This year, we had a weekend over which to go to Dallas. I thought it would be fun to go to a Rough Riders game (local minor league baseball team) - its very quaint (which is hard to find in Dallas), feels like a small town get together, and it seems very American to me (they have the standard baseball fare, plus they launch fireworks at the end of weekend games). This was a great idea - my parents, Drew's mom, brother and his girlfriend were all going to come along...it was perfect. I was so excited.

Okay, mostly I was excited for the snacks and fireworks (I never claimed to be a big sports fan of any kind)

And then this happend...

Downpour of rain!

So we walked around the Stonebriar Mall instead, but I still enjoyed that. Drew is particularly fun to shop with because he invariably finds something unusual and has to pick it up. Case in point: this is how I found him in Harry and David

We went to the Cheesecake Factory for dessert and to celebrate my birthday - I love that place. I had a new addition, Red Velvet cake cheesecake and Drew got the Snickers. Drew is always really sweet in asking for my input on what he should get, so that when we share we both get to try two things we want. I love sharing and when the portion sizes are as large as the Cheesecake Factory's there is no harm in giving some of your dessert up. :)

We managed to drive home just in time that night to catch the fireworks from Kaboomtown - its the fireworks show in Addison, TX. Its really large and well done, and you can see it from my parents' house. I love fireworks. Not setting them off, mind you, that is just crazy and I don't understand why boys like it. And I mean boys, because if you have ever watched a male of any age (even grown men like my dad and my husband) buying fireworks or shooting them off you know, boys are what they become in those moments. Watching them giddy and excited by this is fun though. As is watching the light show they set off, but I have no desire ever, ever to light any of them off myself. My mom and I end up looking more like police cautioning them in this picture, make that the one behind the car door (he's clearly the smart one):

On the actual 4th of July, Sunday we went to church with my mom and then celebrated the nice weather (thankfully the rain cleared up) by hanging out in the backyard, grilling, eating, and swimming. Here are a few pictures.

Later that afternoon Drew and I went to see his dad in Dallas to have dinner. Unfortunately, I got a migraine (probably was not a good idea to have a magarita and then sit out in the sun when I already have a predisposition for migraines...yea, I'm smart like that). So I had to go back to my parents house to get my medicine and lay down for a bit. Drew got to hang out with his dad and later that night I watched Life is Beautiful with my mom and little bro (who is not little anymore, now he is a smart, hunky film student at Carnegie Mellon). Have you seen Life is Beautiful? It is one of my favorite movies of all time - it makes you laugh and cry, the characters are wonderful, and its just good story telling. Its definitely not the most patriotic movie to watch for Independence Day, but I enjoyed it none the less.

I hope you all had a restful and celebratory Independence Day too!