We had a pretty fabulous 4th of July weekend. And in some ways it started the weekend before, when my best friend from college, Kimberly, got into St. Louis with her husband Charlie. She moved to Dallas six years ago, and we rarely get to see each other. But there's more to our story than just that, as Kimberly is responsible for my marriage. You see, Kim and Trey are cousins - well, second cousins, but I've learned that in the Latta family, damn near everyone is a cousin in some way. Trey's dad, OC, aka Poppa Latta, is first cousins to Kimberly's mom, Momma Becky. So not only is Kimberly my best friend of 15 years, but she's family!
Thames & KimKim
Let's be clear, I love this woman!
Anyhoo, Trey and I met up with Kim and Charlie last Saturday, went out for drinks and a little gambling. Much alcohol was consumed. Then on Tuesday, Kim and I met up with some old co-workers - yes, we not only are best friends and family, we also worked together back at Knights! We met Beth, Cathy and Jeffrey out at the Trainwreck, and Oh Lord, I was in stitches the entire time. I forgot what a riotous crew we are when we're together! Kimberly has a picture of all of us.
So Thursday we made our way to Hannibal, where Nana Roxy was cooking up a good, old fashioned southern fried chicken dinner, complete with every fixin' you can think of, for Momma Becky and Charlie's birthdays. My arteries were reeling, but my mouth was so happy! And it was the first time Kimberly got to meet Ryan, and the first time in almost two years she saw Sean.
On Friday, Mandy and Nick, along with Baby AddieCakes and Nick's parents were in town, so we hung out at Poppa Latta's house, eating like gluttons, swimming, and letting the cousins play and get to know each other. And Friday evening, we headed out for my first Hannibal Cavemen baseball game - Hannibal now has a collegiate league, and while they lost, we had a really good time dodging the rain, telling stories and watching some great fireworks when the game was over. There was a wee bit of drinking here, too.
Addie, in the hands of a bad influence, Terry.
But the big day was Saturday - not only Independence Day, but also Ryan turned seven months old! Miss Isabella was in the parade, so we convened once again, this time on the streets of Hannibal to watch what was a really great, small town, holiday parade. Beauty queens waving from the tops of convertibles, old time cars, candy in the streets, Red, White & Blue flags waving from little kids' hands. Yes, it was Americana wrapped up in a little package!
Daddy & Sean
This picture is just too precious to me!
Izzy B, our own Miss America
Aunt Mandy and Baby Addison enjoy the festivities
After the parade, though, Trey and I packed up the boys and headed home, because we have learned over the years that the best place to be on the 4th of July is our house. We must have some pretty rich neighbors, because quite a few of them shoot off hundreds (maybe thousands?) of dollars worth of fireworks, and St. Charles County becomes aglow for hours. If you can stand the thick, sulfur-laden smoke that blankets the air, the best seat in the house is in our driveway, where we hang out with the Blake's for a night of drinking and explosives. Plus, it gave us an excuse to break in that new piece of street right in front of our driveway.
Unfortunately, this year, the rain moved in just as it was getting started, and everyone started shooting everything they had at once, and only the diehards kept going long after it started pouring. But Trey and Sean and I opted to snuggle in on the couch for some popcorn and Sean's new favorite movie, Ice Age. (Yay, no more Annie!)
Sean and his girlfriend, Emma
Here's a little video that I took, right before the rain hit. The video does not quite capture the awesomeness, but you do kind of get the war-zone feel of the evening.
So what did we do Sunday? Not much. Of anything. Oh, Trey got his panties in a wad about getting stuff done, but I smacked him around a bit and told him to do something he rarely does....Relax! We still got quite a bit around-the-house stuff done, but nothing was pressing, we didn't have to go anywhere, and we had the Blake's back over for an incredible BBQ. Man, Trey can cook a rib like nobody's business! And the lemon water and salad helped me push through that food baby I'd started to grow those few days in Hannibal. :-)
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