Life beyond the parade

So, what else did we do in Lake City besides partake in some serious parade-watching festivities?

Well, we spent time checking out the new cottage addition. Kitchen, hearth room, master bedroom and bath and laundry area - pretty impressive, no?

Just wait until there are walls!

And at the beach, 

the four-leggeds enjoyed some a.m. Chuck-It sessions.

And of course, we slurped some serious scream at Tasty Treat, 

but only after waiting in the longest line. EVER.

Paul and Will were very patient with my indecisive self.

Banana Split Flurry or German Chocolate Flurry? Hard Ice Cream? Blue Moon or Moosetracks? Cone? Slush? I went with the German Chocolate. Delish.

There was beach time as well, but no shots of the bikini-bare belly. I have to exhibit some compassion for my readers, you know...

It was a fabulous vacation and I cannot wait for Baby Spurgeon's GFITN next July.

Greatest Fourth in the North

The summer after meeting Will, back in 2004, I was introduced to my first Greatest Fourth in the North, care of the Spurgeons, the Crissmans and a little town near Cadillac called Lake City.

The ditty goes a lil' somethin' like this... Night before - put chairs in truck bed, usually about 15 of them. Morning of - coffee, light breakfast and drive downtown for the 5 or 10 K. After the race - gather at the 15 chairs, carefully placed by soon-to-be-named Grandpa Bill, rendevous with the non-racers, enjoy some Baked Beans coffee and a breakfast sandwich, and get down for some serious parade watchin'.

In years past, those of you on Facebook may have perused my fabulous Lake City Greatest Fourth in the North parade photos. I must say that this year was slightly less dramatic. Only one band. No Roscoe. And no Jenny Nathan. But yes - they did toss beef jerky. And yes, there was a woman driving around megaphoning at the kids to "GET BEHIND THE WHITE LINE, FOLKS!" It was still a super time.

The spectators from my camp . . .

...including sunscreen safety officer G. Bill:

Other notable spectators included the pasty and the tan - the former clearly a follower of Officer G. Bill: 

Who knew bathing suit parade watching was such a thing?

For those that can't decide? Just wear jeans AND a bathing suit. Brilliant! (Sidebar - it was about 85 degrees out.)

And then there was my favorite spectator, affectionately nicknamed Chugger.

Takin' names and kickin' ass. Her 18 wheeler was parked out back.

This year's theme, "It's Round-Up Time," showcased some seriously couture Old West-inspired Northern Michigan attire, modeled by the effervesant teens of Lake City.

(There was even some vintage wear - the white boots, which I think I coveted back in 1991.)

This guy totally showed up Kip and Owen.

And what about the double-glove crew? MJ times two?

We were positioned at the end of the parade route (atypical placement for the Spurgeon crew). 

By the time they got to us, parade participants were pretty tuckered out... I was tuckered too. 

But lucky me scored a coupon for a free Big Boy coffee.

And it wouldn't be a Lake City parade with a message from above.

Even delivered in the Round Up theme...

Oh what a time it was...

French Fry Day

If you received a Enlarged-Marge-Created-Calendar for Christmas, I hope you took note that yesterday was a special day. Yes, it marked my 36 week mark, but it was also National French Fry Day! Possibly the best food day of the year. I celebrated with Norm-like Burger Joint spuds. And I enlarge...

Another one bites the dust

On July 3 I detailed some of the fabulous pregnancy-related "issues" I've been experiencing. One thing (one painful and annoying thing) I neglected to include: The 2:13 a.m. Charley Horse.

Now I went a few weeks without any occurrences. Thought I was out of the woods. Per usual, I thought wrong, as discovered by moi, Will, Kip, Owen and Grandma and Grandpa Breclaw.

On July 5, the first evening of our Escanaba stay, I gasped awake, struck by what I thought was a long lost enemy. I leapt out of bed, swearing, ready for relief. But as soon as my non-Charlied leg hit the carpet - BAM - stallion numero dos decides to buck for glory. Result? Crush and burn, baby. Crash and burn.

One simply cannot stay upright when both calves are sailor knotted. Trust me. I tried. Twice. And I fell. Twice. And if I'm honest, I didn't just fall, I TIMBEEEEEEERRR-ed. At 2:13 a.m. I woke up everybody in the house. Kip and Owen went berserk. Not to mention all of this happening on a baby-pressured-bladder. It was awesome.

So though, for the most part, I've enjoyed pregnancy, some of these other "symptoms" I could really do without. (I hope you're listening Mr. and Mrs. Calf.)

35 down, 5 to go

Will has belly envy. Do you?

Home again, home again

After 8 nights away - 3 in Lake City and 5 in Escanaba - we're back in Milford. The vacation, from work, baby-prep and the blog, was much-needed. But tomorrow, it's back to business. Week 36 commences on Wednesday and Will and I are ready for our final four weeks, Baby S cooperating, as a duo.

Stay tuned for posts on the Greatest Fourth in the North, my Family Tree Escanaba baby shower, adventures in strawberry picking, cloth diaper purchases and further baby room prep. 'Night!