4th of July in Kentucky

As most of you know, we decided we would spend fourth of July weekend in Kentucky with Erik's family. His family was having a family get together/reunion and it was really important to his grandma that he was there. In case most of you don't know, July 4th is also Erik's and my anniversary and this year is the first year he was actually here for it. Words can never describe how happy I am and how grateful I am to have him home. We haven't been able to spend an anniversary/fourth of July weekend together since we actually started dating thanks to deployments.

Anyhow, we made it to Kentucky 9:30 Friday morning with puppy dog in tow of course! Sleep was not something that she was going to allow to happen after sleeping all night long in the car, and it actually took us over an hour and half to get her to go potty and Erik's mom (thank goodness!) was the one who actually got her to go. Turns out, puppy dog is a shy pottier (and there is nothing wrong with that!) and doesn't like going where other doggies have gone before. So she found her spot in the yard where their dog hadn't gone in a long time and went. Friday was a nice night, we just relaxed and had dinner with Erik's grandparents and his Aunt that he hadn't seen since he was three years old. I love nights like that here, where you can just sit and relax and enjoy each others company. Erik's grandma made this amazing tomato salad with the tomatoes I brought up from our garden (our tomato plant is insane!!). Saturday was a quiet day for the most part, I was able to catch up on some sleep and we really just hung out around here. Relaxed in the pool for a bit and Erik was able to help his dad get some wood together for a bonfire so we could make s'mores. We ended up going to Fort Knox to get some beer and tequila. For those who don't know, alcohol is truly much cheaper on base than off base, especially in Kentucky - it's super expensive here for some unknown reason - plus Erik's county is a moist county and they don't sell alcohol. So we made the trip to Fort Knox and then came back and went to church with his mom, dad, and sister. I really enjoy going to church, especially with Erik's family. My family wasn't big on going to church and I love that they are, so we went. And the best part, afterwards we got to have WHITE CASTLE for dinner!!! I flipping love, love, LOVE White Castle! And we ended up having a bonfire and roasting s'mores later on that night. Sunday was an early day, family started arriving here at about 10 or so. It was really nice meeting everyone, and seeing those that I had meet before again. We, Erik, myself, and his sisters and their significant others, decided that we were going to sneak our alocholic beverages, since they were not allowed. Erik and his sisters boyfriend went to go get beer and took foreverrrrrrr - it was pretty obvious that they were up to something, it always is with Erik, and his dad caught on, and actually did some encouraging on his end :) His sisters and I stuck with vodka and cranberry juice. Eventually after lunch we got in the pool. I think one of my favorite parts of the day was watching Erik throw around his younger cousins. He is so good with kids and really will make an amazing dad, one day in the future.

Later that night we did fireworks before the thunderstorm came in. That was - well... entertaining. Erik and his sister's boyfriend and his other sister's fiancee did a great job putting it together, there were a few duds that scared me half to death. But overall it was great. It was so nice seeing fireworks with Erik and his family. We've never gotten to see fireworks together, it was rained out at the oceanfront back in 2008 and he's been deployed since. So that was another great part of the day. Plus Erik loves doing stuff like that, he is such a pyro.

Overall it was a great weekend. I do have some news for everyone, but I will share that in another post. I do want to say Happy Fourth of July, and Happy Independence Day. I hope everyone can take a moment out of the day to realize that our freedom is not free and that we have the rights and freedoms that we do have thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of many, many military members. Our flag only waves because of them. Please take a moment out of your day to say a prayer for those who have been lost paying the ultimate price, their families who will forever have an empty chair in their home and an empty place in their heart, say a prayer for those who are currently deployed defending our freedom and their families who anxiously await their safe return, and a prayer for our country, in hope that things will turn around and improve, and that those who lead our country can lead us in the right direction.

Happy Independence Day everyone, let freedom ring. :)