Independence Day

I love the 4th of July and I love a short work week! So for me Independence Day is all about being outside. It needs to include swimming, BBQing, and fireworks and this year all three were accomplished. Thursday Bryce had a half day so he met me for lunch at our favorite Hawaiian place, Roxy's. Bryce also ran a bunch of errands including getting my car all-weather mats! I got home a little early and our apartment was so hot that I feel asleep on the couch. We then ran to the store for some BBQ supplies and then went downtown to see an art exhibit. Of course, we got there right as it closed so we went into another art exhibit and then got ice cream at Salt & Straw. It was a great way to beat the heat!

Friday we both had off work so slept in until 8AM and then got up and started cleaning while it was still cool enough in our apartment. I even cleaned up and organized the stuff under the sink. I also made waffles and Bryce picked blackberries that are right by apartment. Yummy breakfast!

We finished cleaning and I went to the gym. After lunch, the Judd's took us to a rope swing on the river and it was idyllic. I felt like I had gone back in time to the simple life. There was a group of teenager girls there that were a little annoying, but the water was refreshing and everything else was perfect!

We got home around 4PM and grilled some marinated chicken and corn on the cob. I made rice, but of course it wasn't done  until we were half way through eating dinner. Oh well. Then we were cleaning up getting ready to leave to see a play, when I found that that our sink was leaking and everything was wet. Of course, I had just cleaned it that morning. I pulled out everything and put towels down before leaving. We went to a Shakespeare in the park and saw the play Macbeth. It was fun and so nice to be outside!

After the play, we went to Powell's and then got Voodoo Doughnuts! When we got home, our place had turned into some kind of death oven. That was when I realized I left the rice cooker on while we were gone and it had dried out the rice and heated up our apartment even more, which combined with all the wet stuff from the leaky sink it was one hot mess. We cleaned up and aired out the place as best we could before heading to bed with the AC blasting!

Saturday we got up and cleaned a little before going to the church for the 4th of July breakfast. They had a flag ceremony and we said the Pledge of Allegiance, which I can't remember the last time I said it and I couldn't help tearing up! We then ate a pancake and sausage breakfast before the kids road their bikes around. We headed out early and went to the Lake Oswego Parade. It was a funny parade with no real floats or even a bands, but they did give out full-size candy bars!

After the parade, we came home and Bryce started the BBQ for lunch. We invited friends over to join us for hamburgers and hot dogs. The spread looked more like a Cinco de Mayo party, but I couldn't find any blue lettuce or avocados so green it was!

We then went to the rope swing again and played in the river. It was great and more friends came so the group was much better than the previous day. We got home and I went to the pool because I hadn't had enough water time. Don't mind the 30 year old pregnant lady doing flips and handstands!

The only picture I took of my 4th of July outfit. And maybe you can see my tiny baby bump?

Bryce took a nap while I swam and so I got home and showered before he got up. We got pizza for dinner so we didn't have to cook in our hot apartment. We then hung out at the Brook's until we went to the Swim Park to watch the fireworks. We ran into the Merrill's there and joined them. The fireworks were pretty on the lake, but the trees weren't helping us out. Luckily, I had mentally prepared for this so I wasn't disappointed and enjoyed the limited view!

Sunday we tried hard to cool our apartment down in the morning before church, but it was already in the 80s by 11AM. We ate breakfast with the Brook's and then got ready for church. Bryce was kind enough to have three fans blowing on me so I didn't die doing my hair!

Church was good, but lots of people were out of town. Primary was tiny and the kids weren't too crazy because it was so hot! After church, Bryce and I tried to stay cool, but it didn't go so well. We ended up hanging out in our bedroom with the AC on and then going and sitting by the pool. We also ran out of popsicles, which was a real shame!

 All in all, though it was a great holiday weekend and we aren't ready to go back to work! Plus in Oregon you have to appreciate the hot sunny weather on the 4th because some years it is raining and cold!