Family Time

We had a very busy day today. It started out with Ethan and I getting up, eating breakfast, and playing with toys before taking a short hour nap on the couch. During that time, my parents called and asked if we wanted to come to Buffalo with them. I needed plants for the garden and some food items for Monday's cookout at the Stuhr's, so they came, awoke us from our couch nap, and away we went!

Traffic was still quite busy, even at 10am. And why is it that on a holiday weekend, people drive as slow as humanly possible? We were going 45-50 mph all the way to Buffalo. GRRRR.... Anyways, Wal-Mart was also busy, so we trekked through the store, got our groceries, then made our way out to Lawn and Garden. I got many great plants for our vegetable garden (tomatoes, peppers, strawberries), and some seeds, too. In fact, I spent around $80 for all my garden necessitites! WOW! This garden better harvest a lot better than last year (although I won't be pregnant, so it should be easier to get out there, too).

Meanwhile, Mark was getting up and going to meet his mom at Menards to buy stain for our deck, after which they were going to come back to our place and work on it. We had a trade-off system going-I plant the garden, he does the deck. We both take care of the garden once it has been planted (weeding, watering, etc.) because we both eat the food that comes from it. So, Mary came over at around 1:30 or so, and they began staining the deck. I knew I didn't need to worry about too long of a visit because we had plans at 6, so I was in a great mood when she came over. NO 6 HOUR VISIT!!! YAY!!! Plus, Mark remembered to wear old clothes while staining this year (last year, it was nice jeans and a tee), so I was especially happy I wouldn't be in the laundry room, trying to scrub out red stain from clothes (which doesn't really work, by the way).

While they did that, Ethan was napping, so I took it upon myself to clean out the bathroom hall closet, which had never been cleaned out/gone through since we moved in about 2 and 1/2 years ago. I had no idea that in two years you could aquire that much...stuff. I found old receipts, more hair products and body wash than you would ever need, and dust bunnies the size of my fist. Ugh! However, since there are a lot of products that shouldn't be left out for my non-crawling, but rolling baby, once he woke up from his nap, I left the closet. I am hoping to finish it Sunday or Monday, but we'll see what happens.

At around 3, Mark and Mary came back in after getting the first coat done on the deck, so she could have Ethan time. It was tolerable today, but I know Mark wanted to get the deck done, so he kept going out and checking to see when they could do the 2nd coat. At around 4, they went back out to finish. I continued to try to straighten the house (I have a piano recital here next Sunday, so it should look at least somewhat presentable). After they finished, they both changed and then Mary left...sweet Jesus! She even left early (at around 5:15)! That never happens (but it probably did because we told a little white lie-that we were going to Travis and Jenna's. Well, we were going to spend time with them...at my parent's house. Mark and I just couldn't chance her getting all jealous again). We grabbed our stuff and headed out!

Mom, Dad, Travis, and Jenna were all playing beanbags when we got there. I like beanbags, but really suck at it, so I try not to play too much! Anyways, after the game was over, we went and sat up on the patio and talked. Mel and Dorothy (my grandparents) walked down from their house to join us. We ate (chicken, pasta salad, veggies, and s'mores) and socialized. It was fun, sitting around, talking about life, the news, school, Ethan, just about anything. I wasn't sure if I'd even get to finish eating/socializing, though because Ethan's feet got cold, then he needed a diaper change, then I spilled some pop, then I needed another beverage, etc. My boss wasn't kidding when she said you never eat a hot meal after having kids for at least 10 years.

It started getting late, so we all went on our merry ways. My grandma and grandpa walked back up to their house to watch "Harper's Island," Travis and Jenna went to Jenna's sister Jackie's 21st birthday party, and Mark, Ethan, and I came home to give Ethan a much-needed bath. All in all, a fun, but very busy day spent with family.