Fun weekends happen when least expected.

I went into this past weekend kind of bummed out.  We had planned to go to the beach with my side of the family.  It took a lot of planning to find a weekend that we could all go together around every ones schedules.  We finally settled on July 4th weekend to find out a week before that we couldn't get the beach house due to Patrick's family being there.  I just knew they would not be going because a) they usually go during the week, not on weekends and b) Granny Pat has a HUGE 4th of July cookout so I figured she would be busy preparing for that at home instead of being at the beach.  Of course, I was wrong & they had planned to be there so our plans got cancelled and I figured we would be sitting at home while everyone else had plans.  Luckily, I was wrong again!  It actually turned out to be a really fun weekend. 

Patrick went to SC Friday evening to get fireworks.  I ended up getting off work a little early, spent some time with Mallory and then we went to mom and dad's for some fried shrimp.  She was so cute before we went to my parents' house, she actually wore a headband that I love but she hates, ha! 

She likes to straigten up our shoes by the door.

4-wheeler ride with Grandaddy Franklin

Saturday, I had decided to just stay home & clean when we got a call from Nikki with an invite to her pool.  Mallory & Jack were so sweet & played well together.

Love this pic of Jack

Mallory played so hard that just as soon as I pulled out of Nikki's driveway, she was fast asleep!

I was really bad about taking pictures the rest of the weekend, but I just didn't feel like lugging my camera around.  Sunday we went out on the boat with the Garren's.  It was Mallory's first boat trip and she was scared, as usual.  Bless her heart, she is just like me - so timid!  BUT - as soon as we got to the island, she loved it.  It was so much better than being on the beach with her.  She got in the water and had a blast with Carter & Charlie.  It was a huge hit with the kids...I think that was the first of many boat trips in our future this summer.  We even stopped on the way home to Rucker John's for dinner and all three kids behaved.  We go out to eat with the Garren's often and it was definitely the best experience we have had so far with dining with 3 kids age 3 and under.

Then yesterday, it was back to the pool at the Mills' house.  Nikki had six kids there I believe so it was kind of like a big playdate.  Mallory did really, really good until the very end.  It got to be naptime and we were playing inside when Mason started playing with something that she thought she should have.  She embarrassed me pretty bad (crawled up under Jack's jumperoo in a ball all the while screaming and crying).  Shew...we went home at that point!!

After a much needed nap, we went to Granny Pat's cookout.  She invites the entire community and cooks for everyone.  Here is the one and only picture I took.  We missed all the fireworks, because....can you guess??  Mallory was scared.   

& now I am way past the weekend, but tonight Mallory's cousins came over.  They are here visiting from Florida and it is the first time they have seen each other since Mallory was six weeks old.  It was a short visit but they had fun playing while it lasted.  We have been saying this for years, but we want to go visit them soon!  They will be getting a new sister in October so hopefully we can go once she arrives ;)

I think that pretty much catches us up...and the bed is calling my name. Good night!