The 4th of July + a Trip to the Zoo = One Great Week

We have had a wonderful week! First, Andy had 2! consecutive days off, the first time in a month or so. It was great to spend time with him! We had a great 4th of July, spent at my grandparents' lake house with my closest 13 family members! Most of us were in beds sleeping, excluding Uncle Mike (however, he snores like nobody's business so no one would have wanted to share a room with him anyway!)



Here we are, the soon-to-be- brother in law, myself, and Andy playing some card game. A cousin came up with the idea of a 4th of July Olympics for the entire family to participate in for some unknown prize (still to be determined!). We played croquet, corn hole, and two kinds of card games. We could also earn points by helping cook and clean up after meals throughout the weekend. Although the 'official' prize is undetermined...we also decided the winner of this year gets to determine what games and point system we are using next year. In a family where everyone likes to be the boss...this is invaluable!!!



This is the annual pontoon 'parade'. Pontoons line up near the public beach to parade around the lake. This year, 15 participated, some gaudier than others. That is the purpose...to be as over the top as possible. The more crap on the boat, the better. There was one boat with a bagpiper, Statue of Liberty (or some girl posing as one), and broom sticks with bald eagles attached. Very classy. Although it's not a competition, we all put our blood, sweat, and tears into the decorating!

The Duncan's...looking as good as ever!

The captain and his first mate...(my dad and Maeic channeling his inner Elton John).

So far so good.....

Andy also had a day off last week, and we took advantage and went to the zoo! They recently added a new exhibit called African Journey. It normally takes us a little over an hour to tour the zoo, the new part took us an hour and 15 minutes by itself! It was amazing! In this pic, Maeic and I are posing on the life-size Komodo Dragon. They have a real one in a nearby display.

This is part of the new addition...giraffe feeding! They were so close, it was amazing! Literally, at 4 feet away, it is astonishing to see how large they really are!

Here Maeic and I are posing near the hyena that is displaying his business for us...it wasn't necessary but we got a close picture of them!

Andy and Maeic are ready to take a trip on the Sky Ride that is very similar to a ski lift. It only holds so many pounds...the three of us exceed it :(

All in all, it was great to enjoy the week as a family. I forget from time to time how much I value that and miss it when the opportunities aren't there. I know life is about to get crazy...I feel like this is the calm before the storm...but it's a storm I'm so looking forward to!