Over the 4th

We drove to Chicago to visit my family this past weekend for the 4th. Lots of driving and craziness, but lots of fun! We realize now that having just one child will add about an hour onto a previous 7 hour drive to Chicago, and after that child gets past the sleepy newborn stage, will cry and fuss most of the trip, upset at being constrained in a car seat the whole way. We arrived late Friday night at my parents' house and left to go home on Tuesday afternoon. Since we didn't get enough car time, evidently, we spent Sunday driving to Lafayette, IN to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews- including my newest nephew Graham (only one week old!). It was fun for Charlie to get to see all of his uncles and aunts (pronounced "ants," MN people) on my side, and his cousins from Indiana for only the second time of his life...a lot of change happens between 3 weeks and 7 months!

Auntie Ali & Charlie

Cousins: Liam, Charlie, Miles, Oliver, & Graham

Uncle Cory & Charlie

Meeting Graham!

Dan & Graham

We also went to Orland Park's fireworks display on the 4th and sat on a blanket in the grass holding Charlie close, just a bit scared for him of the loud fireworks, but he was fine the whole time! He stared at the sky the entire show, eyes wide open, and held onto my fingers tightly :) Last time he heard fireworks there, he was 20 weeks in utero and we had just found out he was a sweet little boy! Was that only one year ago?

Charlie's first fireworks show!

  
For a fun twist to the weekend, we brought this Himalayan beauty home with us (which made the car ride home even more interesting) to be a friend for Gus. Unfortunately, Gus sees her as the enemy presently, but hopefully they'll be friends soon... We are thinking of calling her "Cricket" due to the funny way she leaps into your petting :)