Life Within the Cuckoo's Nest: Weekend Fun

Friday June 27, 2014:

My little sister turned 17 on Friday! We had a small party for her at our house with all of her close friends and a few family members. Then off to Wet 'n Wild all the teenagers went for a day of sunshine, water rides, and boys. You can't forget the boys ;). Austin was in heaven. He had four beautiful teenage girls who had eyes only for him and he played it up BIG TIME! He didn't even care that he missed his afternoon nap because he was so busy being a little stud. My mom bought sub sandwiches for everyone and I had bought a watermelon which always tastes wonderful in the summer. While Briana and her friends sat in the living room playing with Austin, the rest of us (Mom, me, Sadie, Heidi, Jessica, Mikayla) sat in the dining room talking, laughing, and having a great time. Although Briana had requested no cake this year because she is a teenage girl who is always watching her figure, I bought cupcakes anyway. You can't have a birthday and not blow out candles. I think she was secretly happy about that ;).

Austin and his entourage.

Sadie, Heidi, Mikayla, Jessica (who is covering her face) and me hanging out (Mom is taking the picture).

Lighting the candles!

Happy Birthday Dear Briana! And many more...

Saturday June 28, 2014:

On Saturday we had a BBQ/Pool Party with my Uncle Brian and his family. It was a blast! It started out a little rocky because I am extremely anal about punctuality and they were hours late (insert stress and annoyance here) but once they showed up all my anxiety melted away and we had a good time :). Josh BBQ'd hot dogs and hamburgers and my Aunt Amanda and I had made cheesy potatoes, 7-layer bean dip, and brownies. Again, like the day before, we sat at the table for hours talking and laughing. There's something about the kitchen table. It's so comforting to be sitting around it with the people you love and there's something about good food that always brings out an inner happiness in everyone. Even my Autistic cousin who normally can't sit still and is always wanting to go somewhere else was calm and sat on the couch as contentedly as could be! Austin took a mini-nap that afternoon and then we headed out to the pool for a couple hours. It has been ridiculously hot so the water felt perfect! My Mom had bought Austin a new pool floatie for him to sit in/float around and he loved it. I loved it too because it kept him in one place and I didn't have to worry so much about him doing anything crazy. The floatie has a little pillow on the back and I loved watching him lay his little head back on the pillow and float around in the sun. He also enjoyed drinking the pool water which I tried so hard to stop, but there's no stopping this kid once he decides he wants to do something.

Getting ready to go swimming. I have to post good pictures of myself before my pregnant belly starts showing! (8 weeks prego).

Hanging out with Uncle Brian and Cousin Kaden.

This picture is a little blurry because Austin never sits still but I love it so much! My uncle is one of my most favorite people in the world and I love that we live close enough for Austin to get to know my family!