What a jam-packed weekend we had.  It was so busy, that I felt the need to recover yesterday by sleeping in.  Sleeping in these days means getting up at 7:20.  (A far cry from the college days when sleeping in meant waking up just in time to go grab some lunch.  Oh, the good ol’ days.)  Though I did wake up briefly at 6:21 to hearing Nate get up and that’s when my mom voice came out and I told him to “Get back to bed”.  Seriously.  He has his father’s waking up early genes.  #justlikedaddy  Maxim on the other hand enjoys a good night’s rest that involves sleeping in a little later.  8:00 for him is good, but snoozing up to the 9:00 hour is even better. #boyaftermyheart

Friday, we went downtown to our friend’s going away party.  It was so good to celebrate with Mark and his wife Jen on his new job offer.  They’re moving to the Urbandale area (still looking for the perfect location and house) and we are going to miss them like crazy.  I loved watching Hubby and the Quaker Oats guys talk about the good old days and the hysterical memories of when the guys all worked together.  We laughed and reminisced about our friend Sage, who passed away about seven years ago.  Nobody tells Sage stories like Hubby does.

Saturday morning, we were up before the birds and on our way to Des Moines for Nate’s track meet.  It was a great day and Nate beat his P.R. in the 800 m run.  He came home with two blue ribbons from the 400 m dash and the 800 m run.

Nate taking off in the 400m dash

Saturday evening, Nate had a birthday pool party and then, we went to our neighbors’ house for a “Movie Night Under the Stars”.  The kids all watched “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” amongst the pillows, blankets, and beach towels.  It was a great way to kick off summer.

Nate was hot tubbing AND watching the movie 🙂

Sunday, we went to Mom and Papa Joe’s to celebrate Mom’s birthday that was back in May.  With five grandkids in softball, baseball, and track, we couldn’t find a weekend until now.  Papa grilled pork chops and we had a yummy lunch.  Ben and Tara and their three girls, along with Grandma Helen and Hubby and our boys all helped Mom and Papa celebrate Mom’s birthday.  It was a beautiful afternoon of fishing, eating, and having fun.

Mom and her favorite…carrot cake 🙂

Papa Joe, Mom, and Grandma Helen getting ready to fish

Maxim and Denali joined them…trying to catch the big ONE!

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My brother Ben bringing in a large-mouthed bass

Tara and Alexy just chillin’ and McKinley fishin’

Nate trying to catch a fish, but he really wanted to catch the snapping turtle that kept peeking out of the water 🙂

Papa cleaning fish with many helpers 🙂

A fun day with family and we came back just in time for the boys and I to go to our church’s Backyard Bible Club from 6:30-8:00.  By the time we got home, I was so wiped out that “Movie Night” in our living room was beckoning us to come, watch, and relax.  We put in “Despicable Me 2” and popped plenty of popcorn.

Movie Night + popcorn + snacks = a perfect ending to a busy weekend

And there you have it.  Another busy, but fun weekend!

Summer, I’m ready for you.  Slowin’ down, enjoying the warmer days, and longer nights.  Time to eat more popsicles, more fresh fruit, and perhaps more ice cream… Ah…summer.  I’m ready for you.