Last Hurrah with the Hintzes.

6-7 May 2016

It was a bittersweet weekend heading to St. Louis for our final Hurrah with the Hintzes.  Of course we will see them again (great friendships never die!), but this will most likely be our last time spending time with them in our old STL stomping grounds.  Bry & I attended the temple then met up for a picnic dinner at a beautiful park nearby (silly V8 energy drinks that put a little damper on dinner.)  We tried out custard from Fritz's, swam at our hotel's pool, the kiddos of course needed to watch a cartoon, Laura & I went and got pedicures, I coordinated a few last outfits for her and then we spent the rest of the evening at IKEA before parting ways.  Good times.  Til next time!  In Denver?

Double Birthdays.

Dear Grammie Ruth and Grandpa Ed planned a trip to come visit us for a day and to celebrate my and Ruth Anne's birthdays.  We exchanged gifts, us girls did a girls outing to Clothes Mentor and Sally's and painted nails.  The whole crew (minus mom) went to see the ISU campus while I worked on prepping a pizza party and birthday cake.  Ed & Ruth Anne were good sports when I tried to adding & baking freshed toppings to an already baked pizza...and burning the pizza!  But the chocolate cake was a winner.  It was wonderful to finally reconnect with them.  Til next time!

Divine Tutelage.

We recently returned from almost 3 weeks of being gone over Christmas break.  I feel like it was such a time of divine tutelage and learning and I want to record some thoughts.

The day before we were supposed to leave for St. Louis the transmission on the van seemed to be slipping.  We felt like it'd be best to take the van to a transmission shop for diagnosis (where they told us not to take it on the road) and that we should rent a vehicle for our weekend trip.  Those details fell in to place relatively smoothly and we felt blessed that this had all happened BEFORE we set out for St. Louis.  We spent Saturday evening taking part in some of our favorite Christmas time traditions there in town, buying a new nativity from the Catholic Supply Store, having dinner at Lion's Choice, getting concretes from Ted Drewes and attempting to drive down Candy Cane Lane.  We spent the night at the Baileys (it was so great to reconnect with their family), attended church at the St. Louis Hills Ward, visited at the Brandt's house afterwards then had dinner and spent the night at the Hintze's.  It was all lovely.  Then in the middle of the night on Sunday, Lij had a meltdown.  We were all downstairs sleeping in the Hintze's basement and I really didn't want you to wake up your siblings or any of the Hintzes upstairs.  Long story short you wouldn't let me calm you down, as nicely as I tried, and were insisting on Dad to help.  I laid back down on my twin mattress and was fuming inside.  The adversary REALLY weaseled his way in to my mind and heart and the next several minutes were some of the darkest of my life.  Thoughts flashed through my head of how I wasn't loved, how you kids would be better without me, that I shouldn't even want to live any more.  Really horrible, horrible thoughts.  I felt so bombarded and trapped in my own mind and wanted to ask Dad for a blessing, but felt powerless to.  Thankfully a few minutes later he asked me if he could give me a blessing.  I want to note that he mentioned the poisonous and destructive thoughts that I was having.  He also mentioned that all that I was doing as a mother was so important and that God was aware of every effort I made even if no one else seemed to be.  The experience made me realize that the devil is so sly at exploiting our weaknesses and twisting facts in his favor; he takes 5% of reality and makes it seem like the majority. In any case, I was so grateful for Dad being in tune and worthy to give me a blessing in my great time of need.  Not long after that Brie woke up sick and threw up for the remainder of the night.  Dad was the one who helped her the most, but I woke up in despair.  Having a child sick at a friends house the night before we were supposed to fly out was honestly like a nightmare to me.  So many discouraging thoughts were running through my head, but having already felt of God's help and concern with the previously mentioned situations, I desired to turn my heart more to Him this time.  Sickness is something I have feared.  It is out of my control.  You can have everything seemingly in place and then sickness comes along and wrecks things.  At least that is how I have viewed it.  BUT this time, Brie being sick brought me to my knees, it humbled me and caused me to rely on the Lord.  I felt like I had left my country where I'm in control and entered God's country.  I spent the morning with a a constant prayer in my heart, knowing that it would be up to His grace and help that we would be able to fly to Utah.  I prayed, as I often do when traveling with you kids, to have angels help us along the way...though this time I pleaded for it and readily watched for angelic help.  It turned out to be such a sweet blessing.  It completely changed the way I viewed our day of travel.  I was particularly cognizant and aware of each individual who helped us with our bags, waited patiently for all 6 of us and ALL of our luggage, talked so kindly to us on the plane.  I felt very connected to Heaven and Heavenly Father's love as we made our way to Utah.  It was a divinely orchestrated start to our trip.  It helped to set a tone for the rest of the trip.  (There were several interactions and conversations that I was anxious about, but being more humble and teachable allowed me to broach them in a much more loving and Christ-like way.)

During the trip all of us were sick with at least one bug.  I needed to choose to have faith, to be flexible and to see the blessing in the sickness.  And again this first weekend home, Dad has been sick with a fever, aches and chills.  He and I both have said that we feel like it's the Lord helping us to enter His country, to teach us things that we would have missed or overlooked if we were able to speed along at our normal (at sometimes too hasty) cruising speed.  Oh how grateful I am for the spirit.  How grateful I am for the Lord who works to make all things for our learning and growth.  I am thankful for the way that He teaches in calm and loving ways that don't intimidate or overwhelm.  I'm grateful for the way I feel my soul stretching and my heart changing.  God is indeed good and I'm so grateful to be His daughter and for these sweet times in the workshop with Him.

Christmastime in St. Louis

19-21 December 2015

We decided that in conjunction with flying out of STL for Christmas, we'd visit for the weekend.  First thing pulling in to town we went to the Catholic Supply Store to pick out a new nativity for the year.  We loved the "kids dressed up" version that we found, it reminds us of you 4: Brie, Alex, Elijah and Aimee :0)  Next we had dinner at Lion's Choice, got concretes at Ted Drewe's (Cindermint + oreo = yummy Christmas deliciousness), and then attempted to see the lights on Candy Cane Lane.  Apparently everyone else had the same idea that night and it was JAM PACKED with cars.  We waited for 20 minutes without hardly budging and decided it unfortunately wasn't worth the wait.  We headed to George & Christina Bailey's home where we chatted & munched on Christmas goodies while you kids played.  We spent the night there and had an amazing hot breakfast before heading out.  It was so great to reconnect with the Baileys, it'd been too long.  We attended church in the St. Louis Hills ward and there happened to be a Linger Longer so we had more chance to chat with some friends from our old ward.  I loved seeing some of my activity day/primary girls, Natalie Maddox was especially sweet to give me a big hug and it reminded me how much I had loved those callings!  Afterwards we headed over to Bishop & Karen Brandt's house.  We love their family and were glad we could rub shoulders with them for a few hours.  That night we had dinner at the Hintzes (they have fed and warmly welcomed us so many times!!) and played Bananagram once the kids were in bed.  Unfortunately that night was HORRIBLE (I've already blogged about that), but Laura was super accommodating of our predicament.  Other than the weekend ending on a sick note, it was so wonderful to have spent time reconnecting with St. Louis friends!

Six Flags in St. Louis.

30 July - 2 August 2015

With Brie's free Six Flags ticket (from a 600 reading minutes challenge in Kindergarten) expiring and wanting to get to the temple in July, we planned an extended weekend in St. Louis.  Thursday we got dinner from Lion's Choice and checked in to the Marriott in Brentwood.  Dad put you kids to bed while I met up with my friend Laura Hintze to do a session at the temple.  It was really nice to have time for a session and to be there with a friend.

Friday Brie and I dropped off Dad, Alex, Lij and Aimee at the Magic House (with pumped milk and bottles for Aimee), and headed over to Six Flags.  It took FOREVER to get through the line to park and it left us with only 3 hours in the park.  I was worried that it wouldn't be sufficient time, but decided to have a good attitude and make the most of our time together.  After all I'd been pumping for over a week so that I could leave Aimee with Dad and didn't want a bad attitude to put a damper on this singular mother-daughter excursion. I decided that we wouldn't waste time on long lines and tried to keep a good pace.  We ended up hitting up several water rides since it was such a hot day (in the 90's).  Your favorite was the Tidal Wave.  We.got.soaked.  What a mother does for a daughter ;0)  We rode the carousel and ferris wheel and some super fast spinning rides at the end.  We got lunch at the very end as we were leaving at 3:30, you were having too much fun and hadn't wanted to take a break earlier.  It turned out to be an awesome day!  I just loved spending it with my little Brie :0)  After picking up the Dad and the kids we of course had to hit up Andy's, had a pizza party at the Hintze's house and Dad & Jon Hintze went to do a session.

Saturday morning I had fun coordinating outfits for Laura then we provided some business at the Hintze's garage sale ;0) (they inspired me to have our own) and then we headed out to spend time with the Petersens.  Ashely's mom was house sitting at a gorgeous (and HUGE) house in the Ladue area and we spent the day and night there.  It felt like being at a resort! The kids played, we all went swimming, Roberta cooked for us, we watched some TV, and played Cranium with Ben & Ashley that evening.  In the morning Roberta made snoopy waffles for the kids.  We headed out mid morning so that we could get back for 1:30PM church.

It was lovely spending time with some of our dearest friends!  I'm grateful we've had so many reasons to visit St. Louis fairly frequently since our move.

the Kirks.

30-31 May 2015

Our good friends (from St. Louis) the Kirks were driving through from Michigan to Kansas and stopped in for the night.  Although Kate was coming down with a nasty cold which shortened their visit, it was great to reconnect, see how big Sam has gotten and to see Kate's growing baby bump!  We love you guys!  Let's make a goal to all be healthy next time we see each other :0)

Closing the St. Louis Chapter.

24-25 March 2015

The same week we moved in to Park Forest in St. Louis, the Gubler family also moved in.  I remember meeting Cynthia at the DUC on a very rainy afternoon.  They had two little boys and we had Brie...and now both of our families almost have 4 kids.  Bry officially finished his PhD in February and Tim will be finishing up in May.  Cynthia grew up here in Normal and connected us with the awesome Ringer family when we were house hunting a year ago.  Before their move to California they came to visit Normal one last time.  We had gonodolas from Avanti's, the kids played, Andrea came to meet the newest Gubler, we chatted, had dinner together, Tim & Bry got the door bell fixed while Cynthia showed me some of their favorite prospects for houses, they spent the night and after breakfast we said our goodbyes.  With them finishing up and moving, it feels like the PhD Park Forest chapter is officially closing.  It'll be sad to no longer have them there when we go to visit.  The Gublers have been great friends over the years and we wish them the best as they start out on their next adventure!

a Red Letter Day indeed.

12 February 2015

"Today, my committee at Washington University in St. Louis signed off on my dissertation defense!

I am grateful to God for paving the way for this to happen with numerous miracles along the way, to my biggest fans, Sar, Brie, Alex, and Elijah, to my family for praying and fasting for me on many occasions throughout the process, to my dissertation committee for supporting me through three different reschedules of the defense date, and to my friends at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis and fellow Ph.D. students and cohorts for having faith in me that I could complete the dissertation. I am humbled, and I am grateful for the privilege I had to gain such a quality education that will help me sustain my family. God is good. Life is good."

We had schemed up a big weekend trip to St. Louis for Dad's dissertation defense and valentine's weekend and then the day before we were supposed to leave Brie was throwing up all day :0(  So Dad & I decided that it'd be best for him to take the train and go by himself.  I decked out his car, made a little poster for him to take, wished him well, prayed a lot that day and then waited to hear from him.  Then a text came through, "Dr. Graden" with a picture of the signed and official document and then "!!!!!!"  I responded, "Yay!!! Said with a GIANT smile and teary eyes!....CONGRATS :0) :0)  You've officially Phinished!  We're all smiles! :0)"  All smiles indeed.  That was one most anticipated and happy moments EVER.  You kids and I got some notes and hearts put together, headed over to ISU and decorated Dad's office door.  Then Brie picked out green roses at Aldi and we made a big poster (our favorite is the little boy making a fist with the caption, "Dissertation Done!") to have setup in the kitchen when he got home from the train.

This isn't just the official end of his PhD program, but of his time as a student.  (I told Brie this meant that he no longer is a student and can just be a teacher now.)  7 years ago we were celebrating his masters' degree from BYU (and announcing Baby #1 on the way) and now we are closing this schooling chapter as we get ready to welcome Baby #4 into our home.  It's been a long and hard yet rewarding and God has blessed us SO much along the way!  I couldn't be prouder of Dad, even after many unanticipated hurdles and turns, for seeing it through to the end!

Six in St. Louis.

 Brie, this year we officially celebrated your birthday a day early.  Dad was supposed to defend his dissertation in St. Louis on the 9th so we arranged it with Mrs. Kauten for your special day to be the 8th.  The night before, Dad & I stayed up late decorating the dining room and then Dad wrapped all of your presents while I made a card and snowflake crown, just like you had wanted.  We brought you Marshmallow Mateys in bed and you took a princess bubble bath in our big tub.  You requested to wear one of my shirts as a dress, how could I say no?  I tried to find a coordinating shirt and leggings to pull the outfit together and with a few safety pins and a belt, you seemed pleased.  We made you streusel cake with a side of berries and orange juice. You opened your cards (one from Great Grandpa & Grandma Stevenson.  You also got one from Grammy Ruth & Grandpa Ed at some point that week.)  At school you got to be the line leader, wear a birthday crown, share fruit snacks, got a birthday note from each of your classmates, and I came with Wendy's kids' meals for lunch :0)  That night we had a lasagna dinner and (leftover from the Crèches & Carols) chocolate cake with strawberry ice cream.  Then you opened your presents, we got you changed and dashed off to your winter concert.  It was a busy but great day!

Even though Dad didn't end up defending as planned, we decided that it'd still be a good idea to take a day trip to St. Louis.  In the morning we got together with friends (at the St. Louis Hills Ward church building for a gymnasium play date) and then spent the afternoon with the Hintzes.  While the babies napped I took you four older kids to the Magic House (thanks to Laura's passes).  We didn't have long to play but you had a great time!  We had Subway sandwiches and Andy's Triple Chocolate Custard on the way back to Normal.  When we got home there was a big package from Bompa & Mémé waiting for you.  What a perfect finale to your birthday celebrations!

Brie, we love you to pieces!  I can't believe you're already six...and getting to be so tall and capable.  Where has the time gone?  I'm as grateful as ever to have you for my daughter.

Matt's Thanksgiving Visit.

 24-30 November 2014

Back in October Mémé called me one day to ask if I could pick something up from the airport on November 24th.  I thought it was a strange request, but said I could and asked what I would be picking up.  She informed me that it would be Uncle Matt!  I excitedly told her that I of course could pick him up then inquired about when I should drop him back off at the airport, 30 November.  Almost a whole week with mon petit frère grand, quelles bonnes nouvelles!

It was Uncle Matt's first time coming out to see our new place.  It was fun to show him around and to have him a part of all the Thanksgiving festivities.  Highlights include: dinner at Meatheads * dropping in at Brie's class * reading time * goofing around * wearing silly Thanksgiving-themed hats * making personalized turkey cookies (Alex's was our favorite!) and favors * Brie & I making a pecan pie in honor of Grahams Robertson * Cinnamon roll breakfast turkeys * handing out snack packs and hand warmers at Home Sweet Home Ministries * Road trip to St. Louis (complete with a quick trip to the Outlet, celebrating Laura Hintze's birthday, attending the temple and visiting with Park Forest friends) * decorating for Christmas * Playing around on our smart phones and taking silly sibling pictures * attending church, Uncle Matt & Dad helping me sub Brie's class * a very quick and cold stop by ISU's business building and Dad's office *

Tom & Ariana McCann (and boys) joined us for Thanksgiving dinner.  They brought half of the feast with them and we all had a lovely evening chatting, eating and sharing the responses to our Thanksgiving ABCs.

Miss Lillie's Début!

Ever since Jacob's birth, Laura has mentioned how I needed to be at her other children's births.  Last Fall when I found out she was expecting and due the end of June, we knew the chances weren't very good of me being in town.  She wasn't born before we moved, and I thought that we'd be roadtripping on her due date.  But this little girl's birth was definitely orchestrated by Heaven.  We ended up staying in the Midwest in June, and Laura ended up being induced on the day that our friends (Adam & Sarah) were needing a ride from Normal to St. Louis.  It was amazing how it all fell into place.  The Dauphinaises stayed at our place Wednesday night, Laura's water broke at midnight, we hit the road around 7:45 Thursday morning, got to the Lou after 10:30, I was to St. Mary's by 11:00 and Lillie was born at 12:47!  Laura opted to get an epidural so I didn't play "doula" this time, but I did document the whole event and was so happy to be there for that sweet girl's big début.  What a special occasion...Laura & Jon, thank you for letting me be a part of it!  The labor and birth went so smoothly and Laura kept joking that I need to try out the epidural sometime :0)  Maybe I'll muster up enough courage for that big needle, but I first need to let go of my fears of adding more kids to our Graden Circus ;0)

the move is OVER!

I had NO idea how hard this move was going to be.  I started slowly packing back in October and thought we'd be all packed with time to spare.  Not a chance, we were packing up until the moving crew came!  It felt like the packing would NEVER end.  Given I wanted to sort through and organize every little thing.  In any case, I was so grateful for all of the people who helped get us out the door (I hope I haven't inadvertently overlooked anyone)... 

Laura (& Annelise & Sarah & Tiffany & Jessica): gave us boxes for moving 

Cynthia & Megan & Elizabeth & Shirley: entertained the kiddos while I packed 

Isaura & Laura: helped to pack & clean (I would have been completely overwhelmed without Isaura's packing help on moving day!) 

Laura & Megan & Annelise & Mémé & Heather: cleaned our apartment and took turns holding little sleepy Lij

Elders' Quorum & Home Teachers & Roy & Dad: Emptied the house & Packed the truck 

Mémé: Watched the kiddos throughout the move 

 Near the end we decided to order our final moving supplies from U-Haul.  They came in huge boxes and overtook our tiny apartment living room.

 But the kids quickly adjusted and spent hours sliding.  Win-win!!

 Carefully calculated meal plans: My attempt to use up the majority of our fridge, pantry and freezer food before we moved.  We were pretty successful.  Basically just condiments were left.

 Roo playing on the princess bed before we found a new home for it.

 Lots of lists!

 The kids had a barricade going in their room for the last few weeks.

 Adam helping us to disassemble the storage shed out back.  That thing was worth its weight in gold.

 A few nights before we moved.  Bry & I were up til 2am packing.  At some point I decided it was time to make some M&M cookies...some extra energy to get us through the drudgery ;0)

 Isaura, my visiting teaching companion and moving day packing lifesaver!

 Our last menu for St. Louis.

 Just before moving out.  Crazy to see things this way.

 Pizza and Packing Party :0)

 Just before the fun begun.  We got a late start because the Ebrake got stuck on at the storage unit.  Thankfully the moving and cleaning crew was gracious and rolled with the punches.

 Mémé was so great to help with the kiddos throughout the evening.

 Alex wanted so much to help.  It was cute to see his little self in the middle of the action...

The only bummer is that a big heavy dolly fell on top of him.  He let out the biggest scream like I've never heard.  I ran over and scooped him up.  Within a few minutes he had a HUGE goose egg on his head :0(

But before long he was right back at it.  Cute little guy.

So many of the women took turns holding Lij that night.  He was so calm and it was such a blessing to know he was in good hands.  I have to admit that the whole emptying the house and filling the truck bit was such a nightmare for me.  I knew that we had a lot of stuff, but thought it would all fit.  I was embarrassed and wishing that I could just disappear.  At one point I was sitting on our love seat on the front walk, holding Alex.  I was voicing some of my feelings and Elizabeth assured me that it was just stuff and that it would all be OK.  It was just what I needed to hear.  All of a sudden it was like my worries blew away and the spirit was able to help me to recognize the angels who were surrounding me.  I thought specifically of the dear older women who have been our wonderful and wise front walk neighbors (Elizabeth, Shirley, Jennifer, Jocelyn).  It was an important paradigm shift and made the rest of the evening more bearable and helped me to count more of the blessings than stress about the frustrations.

My Dad and Roy were our expert tetris truck packers.  Couldn't have fit all that we did without their endurance and help!  Not to mention Roy dropping my dad off at the airport so he could rent an SUV to haul some of the leftover items.

After putting the kids to bed at the display unit (10:30PM), Bry and I headed back to sort through the remaining items and clean.  Around 11:30PM my dad arrived with the SUV and just then Jocelyn and David were getting home and sweetly helped us load the SUV and took extra lamps and condiments off of our hands.  Bless them!  Bry & I worked til 1:30AM.  We were so spent by the end!!  We would have been there all night without everyone's help!  I went to bed and Bry went out to get a padlock for the moving truck and had someone come out to get the Ebrake off so he could park it for the night.  What an ordeal.

The next morning I was frazzled and so ready to be on our way out.   I was pleasantly surprised to see Sarah and Suzanne get to work early and we were able to thank them one last time for their excellent management and to tell them goodbye.  

 As we reached the bottom of Poinciana I paused and told the kids to wave goodbye to Park Forest, our cherished home in St. Louis.  My eyes were misty as we drove off...crazy to be leaving behind our home of four years!  As we crossed the bridge into Illinois we all waved to the Arch, Alex said, "good night St. Louis" :0)  And we were off.  St. Louis was SO good to us.  God was in all of the details and we were taken care of in every way.  It was a sweet, blossoming, growing time for our little family that Bry & I will never forget!

according to iPhone, 9.

These posted in reverse order, but here's what our last several weeks in St. Louis looked like...

 Alex brought me flowers.  Sweet!

 Me & Brie in front of the water lillies.

 This was her favorite one...like mother like daughter.

 Me and the kiddos after the exhibit.  All things considered, they did a really great job being quiet while walking through.  It was so fun to look at the different art and reminisce of my time in Paris.

 Our spontaneous outing to the STL Art Museum to see the Impressionist France exhibit.

 Sharing our last Andy's triple chocolate concrete :0)

 Last play date (while living in STL) with the Hintzes, at the Kirkwood Mcdonald's.

 Lij actually snuggled with me for awhile.  Loved every second!

 Tim Gubler helping us to take down our fans.  They were such a blessing for us.  Thank you, Tim!!

 Brie getting ready to go to Isaac's swim birthday party.

 Saying goodbye to Tiff :0(

 Addy and Kenzi saying goodbye.

 Our neighbor, Jerry Vogel, was one of the actors in the play.  Asked to get a picture and autograph ;0)

A few pictures from a mini photoshoot I did for Joyce's CUTE family.

 

 Fresh lettuce from the Todd's garden.  Someday we'll be domestic like that ;0)

 Picnic with the Dauphinaises.  

 Those two, what are they going to do without all the tormenting, teasing and drama?

 Dessert date with the Ontiveroses....

 We decided to make s'more brownies.  Yum!

 Saying goodbye to wonderful Loyce from church.

 Alex with his home teaching buddy, Brother Salkic.

 Brie's last Sunday with Sarah as her primary teacher.  We're going to miss her!!

 Last Sunday in the St. Louis Hills Ward.

 Dessert and walk to the garden with Greg & Betsy.

 Too chilly and stormy to go to the pool so we did a pool party in the tub.

 "I'd stand outside with my mouth open wide singing, aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw aw.  Oh what a rain it would be!"

 Temporarily moving around the kiddo's room while packing.

 Brie getting ready to send her donation to St. Jude.  COOL CAUSE!

 Water table fun at the Hintze's.

 Beautiful Butterfly Park.  We didn't go through to see the real butterflies, but did play at the park and take a picture with the cake (#45).

 Clear-out-the-fridge Pita Pizza night with the Thornocks.

 Love seeing these 3 together.

 Last Activity Day activity, my companion Meredith.  She was so great to work with!

 Brie getting her Kindergarten registration ready to mail.  Here we come Grove Elementary!

 Can't remember if this was a Sunday or a Tea Party Tuesday.

 At the doctor's office AGAIN.  Be healthy little Roo.

 Me & Christina Bailey.  Sure love that girl!...

 ...she is amazingly creative, talented, generous and loving.

 A sister at church teaching Brie some sign language.

 Art Hill at night.

 Me & Roo downing the Thornock's homemade stove-popped popcorn, while watching Henry V (Shakespeare in the Park).

 Kenzi spinning the genre wheel.

 Yet another cake, #46!

 I love the Grand Basin, just so beautiful.

 Look at Bry's find for Alex!

 Bry hadn't ever been to the Outlet so we remedied that with a Saturday afternoon date.  It was SO fun scrounging through the junk together.  Match made in Heaven :0)  Look at this camcorder Bry found.

 Last stop at World's Fair Doughnuts.

Two of my angel neighbors: Elizabeth & Jennifer (sisters)

 Lij's first juice box, looks so grown up!

 Mr. Jacobi sporting his sunglasses.

 Making 4th of July banners with Laura's extra blue jeans.

Us, the Thornocks and Kams after dinner at Maggiano's.