So I've been slacking. I'll blame it on trying to learn a new job in a new industry, being gone for 3+ weeks and wanting to spend my free time relaxing with my husband. :) Here is a post to get you more up to date on what's been going on for me and Grant.The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I think the Midwest knows how to do it right. In Chicago the 4th was never just one day. There were usually fireworks on the 3rd and the 4th and the whole city seemed to be in holiday mode for the entire week. I love it! I grew to love the holiday even more 3 years ago...
Three years ago I flew up to Chicago to celebrate the 4th of July with my family at my Uncle Jim and Aunt Sandy's beautiful home on Lake Springfield. It has become a family tradition to celebrate the 4th there. Grant had come the year before, but had to work in 2005. So I flew up and spent the time with my friends and family. I was sitting at my Uncle's playing dominoes by the pool and felt someone massaging my shoulders. I turned to see who it was and it was Grant! He was all dressed up...I knew something was up! He got down on one knee and proposed to me. It was amazing. I was totally shocked.
Fast forward three years and we're back at Lake Springfield to celebrate the 4th of July just 6 weeks after our 2-year wedding anniversary. :) We decided that in order to make it a true family occasion we had to bring Penelope. 
So we canceled our Southwest flights (since they don't let you bring dogs) and booked our flights in AirTran. We bought Penelope the cutest airline carrier and packed up everything to go to Chicago. 
We spent the first night at Jordan & Ryans. Jordan and Ryan fell in love with Penelope. She enjoyed their massive yard and now wants one of her own! The next day we drove down to Springfield to meet up with the family. Penelope quickly made herself at home at my Aunt and Uncle's house. This year we not only had almost all of my cousins, aunts and uncles on my Mom's side, but we also had numerous dogs at the family reunion. The dogs that were there included: Penelope, Izzy (Aunt Sandy and Uncle Jim's dog),
Foo (Aunt Dorothy's dog), 
Pookie 
and Tootsie (Aunt Diane's dogs). The dogs almost out-numbered the people!
So we canceled our Southwest flights (since they don't let you bring dogs) and booked our flights in AirTran. We bought Penelope the cutest airline carrier and packed up everything to go to Chicago. We spent the first night at Jordan & Ryans. Jordan and Ryan fell in love with Penelope. She enjoyed their massive yard and now wants one of her own! The next day we drove down to Springfield to meet up with the family. Penelope quickly made herself at home at my Aunt and Uncle's house. This year we not only had almost all of my cousins, aunts and uncles on my Mom's side, but we also had numerous dogs at the family reunion. The dogs that were there included: Penelope, Izzy (Aunt Sandy and Uncle Jim's dog), Foo (Aunt Dorothy's dog), Pookie and Tootsie (Aunt Diane's dogs). The dogs almost out-numbered the people!For our family the 4th of July is about family, food (lots of it), boat rides, jet skiing and relaxing. I was able to do most of that except for the relaxing part. I found myself lounging by the pool, reading my notecards, sitting in the living room, reading my notecards...studying as much as I could while still being part of the group. I had my home-study final exams the Monday after the 4th of July weekend...no fun! But we did have great food and fun on the lake. We even had the most amazing fireworks show on the lake. It was quite impressive.
The weekend went by way too fast. On Sunday Grant, Penelope and I left for Indianapolis, where Grant would drop me off for my Indianapolis-based training for my new job. I was in Indy from July 6 - 25. It was a long 3 weeks, but a lot of fun. I'll post about my experience later on.
The weekend went by way too fast. On Sunday Grant, Penelope and I left for Indianapolis, where Grant would drop me off for my Indianapolis-based training for my new job. I was in Indy from July 6 - 25. It was a long 3 weeks, but a lot of fun. I'll post about my experience later on.
For now, we'll leave on a high note. I love the 4th of July. I love my family. I am a lucky girl!
Uncle Jim at the grill
Aunt Dorothy, my and my siblings
Group photo in the boat.
My Uncle Dave and two of his three daughters, Meghan and Amy.
Penelope getting ready to jetski!
My Mom!
Amy and Uncle John on the boat.
Me, Dorothy and our girls!
Katie, Meghan and Tess playing Mario.
My cousin (newly engaged!) Jessica
My Aunt Linda and Uncle Mike
Penelope in motion!
Penelope on the boat.
