Go Fourth!

No, I didn't forget how to spell.  This post is about the 4th of July, silly.

We were able to get away to visit family for the holiday weekend.  We hadn't been down to Missouri in a while, so we were looking forward to it.  Swim Girl would meet us there.

Fast forward past Swim Girl running over a leftover tire thing on the highway and her car shutting off and me calling people and places.  She managed to arrive in a rental car a few hours later than planned.

These are the fences that the Tom's will be whitewashing.

We had a great time.  We spent most of it with Grocery Boy's brother and his family.  I sometimes forget how much fun kids are.  They kept me pretty entertained, although to be truthful, it doesn't take much.

We spent the afternoon of the 4th in downtown Hannibal seeing the sights.  This small town is the home of mud volleyball and Tom Sawyer Days, complete with Tom Sawyer contest, fence painting, frog jumping and Miss Hannibal.  You really should go there one year.

Downtown has changed a lot from dive bars to chic new bistro/bars and outdoor seating.  There is hand dipped ice cream, antique shops, lots of fudge and my personal favorite, the popcorn and candy store.

The Tom's.

Being that I was still using one crutch to motor around, I didn't go far.  Just to the popcorn store and to see mud volleyball for a while.

What?  You haven't ever played mud volleyball?  You haven't lived until you have played.  First you find your grossest shorts, top and shoes.  Then you duct tape everything on.  Including your shoes. Then you go onto the court which is ankle deep in mud; thick Missouri mud.  Then you just play volleyball.  Aside from the fact that you can't hardly pull your feet up to move, it's the same as regular volleyball except it doesn't hurt when you fall.  And you kind of fall in slow motion.  My husband and I played one year, before we had kids.  I think I still have mud on my body from that.

We had a great family function the next day and then we headed home on Sunday.

I hope that you all had a happy and safe 4th.  Next holiday ahead: Labor Day!

And there we go.

Who are these cute kids?

Our family was very kind and made sure that
I was able to easily get to and from the park where the fireworks were.  Thank you.

On Saturday, the kids (and others) enjoyed paddle boarding on the little lake at Uncle Joe's.  Yes, Swim Girl dresses up to paddle board.