I don't think we could have possibly fit anymore celebrations into the last two weeks.
To start the festivities we prepared for and attended Sutton's annual Dugout Days. This year was my first year serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board and in turn the Dugout Days Committee. It required quite a bit of my time but all in all it was a fun experience. I am proud to say that I assisted in making this fun-filled weekend one of the best yet. This year's theme was "There's No Place Like Home." As a committee member, they asked MACK, Inc if they would prepare and pull the Grand Marshal float through the parade. It was a lot of work but yet again Jan had a fabulous, creative vision and with the help John and Nathan it all came to life. The Chamber selected the new city administrator and his family, who recently move to Sutton from Kansas, to be the Grand Marshals of the parade.
Thankfully my parents came for the weekend and mom helped me take care of Mason while I assisted with the festival events. Dad brought the Jeep and it made its maiden voyage through the parade. Nathan got to drive and dad, Andy and Isaiah rode along to throw out candy. I am not sure who was most excited.
Lots of "vroom vrooms" to see.
Mason loved the bounce houses!
Next in the line up of celebrations was this summer babe's 7th birthday. We had a packed day of swimming lessons and summer school but we managed to squeeze in breakfast at the bakery, lunch with the family at Subway and a quick trip to Hastings for shopping and mani/pedis.
And if that wasn't enough, she also lost her front tooth. Apparently, after I tucked her into bed she stayed up and wiggled it with tissues until if finally popped out. Unlike any other normal child, she then wrote her own note to the tooth fairy and put it under her pillow without telling anyone. Needless to say, she was a bit disappointed when the tooth fairy failed to come. We came to the conclusion that it must have been too late in the night for her to add one more stop to that night's schedule. Only my child would be so independent.
The very next day, July 1st, we celebrated the wonderful life of an amazing woman. Grandma Lorene (Griess) Johnson died on June 27th at the age of 91. She will be missed by many however she lived a long, full life and the memories will forever be with us and she in our hearts.
Jentry helped me make a photo collection to display at the services.
The funeral services were lovely and God provided a beautiful day for us to celebrate her life. It was fun for me to hear more stories about Grandma in her younger years, as I only knew her for the last four.
Next stop....Harlan County....to properly celebrate Jentry's birthday with family. She chose a pink and black zebra theme and requested a taco salad bar and brownies "with no frosting". My parents hosted the party at their house and my sister made the desert which included homemade ice cream. I would totally recommend having your child's birthday party at your family's residence. It really cuts down on the prep work. Trust me. I have tried this twice in the last year and they haven't caught on yet!
Mason liked the ice cream a little too much.
And then we celebrated America with lots of great fireworks (thanks to Grandpa John and Nathan) and yet another parade.
My dear friend Lindsay and her family joined us.
Red White and Blue drinks were a big hit!
Finally we celebrated living near the best kept secret in Nebraska...the Harlan County Lake of course. This was Mason's first trip to the lake and let me tell you he loves the beach. So much so he wanted to drink the water and eat the sand.
This Monday morning finds me completely exhausted but oh so thankful for the many reasons to celebrate in this fabulous life of mine.
