Up North

We just returned from our whirlwind family vacation to Interlochen, MI. We actually spent more time on the road during the 800 mile distance there & back, but we still enjoyed what time we could spend with family & friends. Unfortunatly, Bryan wasn't feeling that well. We cruised around the lake on the boat, went tubing (well, I did), roasted marshmallows & chatted around the fire, and took a day trip to Sleeping Bear National Park & Empire Beach. Here are a few pictures:

Appliance Delay

Our new appliances were supposed to be delivered today. While they were switching the door swing, they dropped one of the storage compartments and it broke. So they called last night to tell me that they could deliver it as is and wait for a replacement compartment, or I would have to wait for a brand new refrigerator. While trying to sort all this out, I discovered that the refrigerator that they were working on was actually the floor model and it had a ding in the door. We paid (or I should say that Bryan's parents paid as this is a delayed wedding gift) for a brand new one. So unless they were willing to give us some money back, I want a new one. Since the electrician only just started on the electrical upgrades this morning, including a new outlet for the range, I told them to hold off on all the appliances. Now they will be delivered next Saturday.

WALL-E

Last night, Bryan & I went to see the new Disney/Pixar movie, "WALL-E". It was good, but not my favorite. But since their last one was a bit of a dissapointment, I was quite pleased. It takes place about 800 years in the future. Earth has been so filled with trash that it is uninhabitable and people are sent to live on a spaceship "cruise". WALL-E, a trash compactor robot of sorts, is all that is left to clean up the mess. The movie pokes fun at our impact on the environment and humanity's dependence on technology leading to laziness & obesity, but there's actually quite a bit of truth behind it. But the "heart" of the movie is actually a love story.

Happy Independence Day (from Independence, MO)

OK, so I'm a little late. I didn't get on the computer this weekend because I had to be nurse to my husband & daughter. Yes, both Bryan & Madison were under the weather all weekend. That along with packing & moving, it wasn't much of a holiday. We actually had our Independence Day celebration/picnic on the 3rd (since my parents were set to leave early the next day). We grilled hamburgers & hot dogs on the deck. My work had given everyone a big box of fireworks (at least $100 worth). So Bryan, the pyrotechnician, shot them off. Madison seemed to enjoy them. Of course she likes anything that is bright, colorful, and makes noise. She got a little startled by the loud ones, but never cried or anything. Last year when we watched the fireworks, she jumped in my belly after the first one went off. It was great having my folks here. They were a tremendous help with packing and getting the house ready for move in. We spent most of the 4th just resting and had dinner at Bryan's parents' house. We were going to go to watch fireworks, but with both Bryan & Madison not feeling well, we decided to just go home and watch them on TV. I later discovered that we were actually watching a tape from their Memorial Day celebration. Saturday, Bryan went to the doctor to find out that he had a sinus infection and needed to stay in bed for the rest of the weekend. Bryan's mom & I went to Nebraska Furniture Mart (it's not really in Nebraska) to order our new appliances.

Now it's back to work. Bryan & Madison are starting to feel better, but now I think I may be starting to get it. The electrician is supposed to be coming on Wednesday to upgrade the electrical service in the new house so we can install our new electric range which is supposed to be delivred on Thursday (along with the refrigerator & OTR microwave). This next weekend will be more packing & moving. We need to be moved before we head up north at the end of the month.

Pool Days

Yesterday, I took Madison in our pool for the first time (it was my first time, too). I might as well get some use out of it before we move. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first, but I think she really enjoyed it. After a few minutes she was splashing the water. It's actually a salt water pool. It's nice because you don't have all that chlorine or other chemicals. It just tastes bad when you accidently swallow the water (though it's not quite as salty as sea water).