Very Long Vacation Post!

You've Been Warned.

Plus I'm going to cheat just a little and start with our 30th of June Festivities (because that's when the Oak Point Freedom Fest is) . . . 

It involved of course, patriotic clothing (cute skirts from Walmart, pumpkin shirt at Megan's insistence of course)

For attendance at the World's Shortest Parade

(this just might be the only actual "float") 

Followed by free lunch, snowcones (Abby's legs ended up red from spilling and of course I had a mommy moment where I thought it was blood) 

Flag waving

bubble blowing, and just generally having a good time with the family celebrating our freedoms!

Then it was home to pack for our vacation to Grandma and Grandpa's in Michigan.  Flying.  By myself.  With the kids.  You see, Chopper and I apparently have this ritual -- I go on vacation with the kids, he stays home and drinks Dr. Pepper, eats pizza and Panda Express and watches Band of Brothers.  He might be getting the better end of the deal.

I seriously debated just packing William.  Just kidding. 

Flying direct it's only about a 3 hour trip but then another 2 1/2 hour drive to their house.  They were long days of traveling.  Made worse by first trimester nausea.  And now if you're one of the 5 people who actually read my blog and I haven't called you already, you are in the know!  I tell people early on because quite frankly if I'm going to suffer, I want sympathy!

Michigan was beautiful and so we made sure to do lots of activities that involved being outside.  We went to the Potter Park Zoo and rode camels 

Fed the birds 

Were amazed by all the peacocks and tried to find loose feathers but had no luck.  I tried to get Grandma to just pull them out of their tails but she refused!

We've been working on advancing William's eating skills.  He is doing so much better although we also still nurses constantly and refuses to let ANYONE feed him.  He has to do it himself.  So we're having a problem with getting the right volume of food IN him and not ON him.  Case in point: 

But he LOVED the truck.  Apparently, it's amazing.

Mt. Pleasant has this great little Children's Museum.  Now I ask you, if a small, in the middle of nowhere town like Mt. Pleasant can have a great children's museum, why can't we?  Makes no sense to me and I might have to start one because we NEED one for those crazy hot summers (started hitting 100 degrees while I was gone!). 

I just love this little picture.  William is all over the place and starting to cruise a little bit.  He'll probably set the record for walking as well as crawling.

I don't remember now why Abby was upset because they actually LOVED this giant beehive thing.  But I love the picture.

Dressed in a kimono and bringing me "tea"

 Practicing their Japanese writing and I have no idea what it's called.  These are very neat metal plates that they drew with water on and they get darker and then dried for the next practice.  The museum was just very well done.  Oh Megan refused to wear a kimono.

Pool noodles hanging from a grate on string!  Fun for days!

William LOVED hanging out what Grandpa.  He was so good for him.

I am now investing in a Flowbee.  My mom has used one for years and I meant to get William a haircut before we left but it didn't happen so I thought we could try it.  He buried himself in me but wasn't upset and it didn't take too long and looked good.  And since children's haircuts are on average $15 a pop I am so investing!!!  Plus it's a Gasser tradition! 

For the REAL 4th of July we had a BBQ and fireworks at home with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Jeff.   Everything but the fireworks was great.  Grandpa did a great job and managed to get a package that did not include any screamers but the pops were still too loud for Megan.  So it ended up like this: Abby sat outside asking for more (and wanting to help), Megan watched from inside behind the sliding glass door, and I tried to watch from inside as well but William fought and screamed and cried and tried to get away.  He HATED them. 

 Please don't let these ADORABLE pictures deceive you.  They only love each other sometimes.

 1st Fourth of July!!!

The day after we all went to Lake Michigan to go to the beach.  It was pretty packed and the water was freezing but the girls insisted on wearing their swim suits and get in and they really did.  They love the beach and I do wish we lived closer to one so that we could go frequently. 

Yes, there are waves!  It's that big!

Uncle Jeff was awesome and played and took them into the water because he was the only one willing to freeze to death along with the kids.  There were a ton of people doing this wind surfing kind of thing where you're on a short board holding onto a type of parachute and letting the wind pull you over the water and doing tricks.  It was pretty cool to watch.

We didn't actually go in the lighthouse.  I'm not such a fan of heights the older I get and my mom and Jeff tried to go with Abby but there are 130 steps and you can't carry anyone so she didn't get up.  She came back to tell me that she didn't get to go see Rapunzel in her tower . . . but she was ok with that.

I don't know that I have too much more to say because I don't take a lot of pictures of just spending quality time with family but even though the traveling part was long and tiring it was so worth it and I'm grateful we're able to do this with my parents so far away.  It means a lot to me that the kids get to spend quality time with them and that I get a break too!!  I'll probably post more as I recall it, but for now, this is good because I need a nap!