4th of July Weekend

We spent the weekend at my parents' house.  We enjoyed great food, good company and even the hot house.  My parents have been experiencing air conditioning problems.  The air has gone out a couple of times over the past few weeks.  Their unit is under warranty, and they have had several service calls, but they have not been able to correct the problem.  They replaced some "board" on Wednesday before we arrived on Friday, and Mom thought they were set.  We went on a picnic Saturday afternoon and when we got back to their house Saturday evening, all hot and sweaty from being outside all afternoon, it was hot in their house!  Fortunately the house cooled off after the sun set and with the windows open and the ceiling fans blowing, it was not too bad.  The air came back on Sunday afternoon when I was napping with Allison, only to go out again later that night.  The service guy was going to take Monday off, but decided to come on over to Mom and Dad's with a little gentle persuasion from Mom's message she left him. :)  I just feel bad for my folks to be going through this terrible heat wave with out air conditioning.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. 

This is Lauren holding Zack with Luke standing beside them.  This was our first time to see Zack.  He was such a happy, sweet baby!  He loved the girls.  Luke did, too!

Allison's turn to hold Zack

Instead of going to the weir for our picnic this year, we went to Warrior's Path State Park in Kingsport.  It has a wonderful playground for the girls.  Bill's Mom and step-dad came and brought Parker (the girls' cousin). We  got to take the kids on paddle boats.  They loved it!  Lauren really wanted to get in the water though.  Grandma had to keep a close eye (and hand) on her

while they were pedaling.

                                       Lauren and Grandma on the paddle boats

                                     

Allison and I on the paddle boats.  Notice how Allison was sitting so she could reach the pedals.

                                    

                                                    Parker was riding with Bill

                                      

                                                       Allison on the playground

                                    

The playground had a little beach area connecting the sand box to the stream.  The girls loved it in there.

                                   

                                                   Allison playing in the sand

                                   

We had a great weekend and even got back to Knoxville Sunday evening and took the girls to see the fireworks downtown.