Home of the Free

Last weekend we were free. Free of alarms waking us at 6:30am, free of blackberries flashing incessantly, free of tenant’s leaky toilet complaints, free to not train for my impending half marathon. We were free to just be. We had a great time with dear friends in America’s heartland, not to be overly corny, but it was! I couldn’t ask for a more American setting on this most American of holidays.

The view from the back deck:

We spent the weekend waking up to slowly escalating pillows flights:

My view of the boys as I shopped almost to my heart's content in Galena:

Yes, I do believe that is a real ‘Coon’ tail!

The kids eyes bulged at all the candy here. Like fine connoisseurs they carefully picked out perfectly shaped, expertly-colored, super-sugary Lego blocks and gummy worms.

 For now, Hunie, is completely ignorant of the delectable goods in those plain white bags!

Couldn't really hide popsicles! The feeding of the Hunster….

Subsequent bathing of all kids due to the colossal sticky mess they became:

Running through the corn fields….’oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain…’ C’mon you know you want to sing it!

The kids scored some flags from a shop owner for being so darn cute:

We ended the trip with Hunie driving off in the convertible...

Upgrading to the Cadillac! So American!!