4th of July

Hello, hello...from Ohio!!!

We've been doing really well and enjoying our new home. B hasn't had to travel for the past 1 1/2 weeks...it is nice to have him around. I enjoy coming home from work and getting to see him (since he works from home).

Residency has started out okay. Please see my other blog if you'd like to read more. Unfortunately, I drew the short straw and had to work this past weekend during the 4th of July...but it only meant I had to go in for rounds in the morning, which only lasted 2-3 hours. It still meant I had to be up by 5:30am though! YUCK! Darn orthopedic surgeons!

Friday, the 3rd, was the start of the holiday at the hospital - meaning that there were no scheduled surgeries for the day - only add-on's. So, even though it was only my 3rd day of residency, I was told I could leave at 8:15am! WOO HOO! Don't get that opportunity too often during residency....

So, since I got home by 8:30am, I decided I would make some lasagna. That's right.....making lasagna at 8:45am. (New recipe...it was AWESOME! I froze a 2nd dish for another meal sometime too!) Isn't that one awesome wife??? Brandon was still sleeping...he had the day off of work...and I got to cook! It was a relaxing morning and the sleep-wave didn't hit me until afternoon when I had to take a 2 hour nap! Ahhhhhhh.....

On to the 4th of July.....we won't even mention waking up at 5:30am each morning.....because that was a bummer!

My family tradition during the 4th of July is going to Lamoni, Iowa....it has always been one of my favorite holidays there. Nothing beats a small-town 4th! I've been in the parade more times than I can count...and I haven't missed the fireworks show in quite some time! Brandon is used to cooking out with family and enjoying some relaxation.

We tried to re-create our traditions....but nothing is quite the same as being home with family. Since B and I live in a suburb with small-town traditions, I decided we ought to go to the town square where everything was happening. We got there only to find face-painting stations, clowns on stilts, and jewelry stands. Nothing too fun for two 27 year olds. No pool with swim races going on....no parade with candy being thrown....no band on a stage to dance to......just tents with local merchants trying to sell cheap stuff. (AKA...I MISSED LAMONI!)

Not to mention that it was a cloudy, 60-degree day....on the 4th of JULY! What the heck!

The drizzles were threatening the fireworks....so B and I decided to have a cook out, just the 2 of us, at our place. It turned out to be a really nice evening! We even watched a couple of movies!

B was in charge of cooking the steaks on the panini maker (we can't have a grill) and they turned out awesome!

And since I'm an Iowa girl, of course I had to have some corn-on-the-cob for the 4th! Can't imagine a 4th without it!

We enjoyed our meal on our porch...but had to wear sweatpants!

And in other news, I have been trying to grow some cilantro that was given to me as a wedding gift in this cute MacKenzie Childs pot! Look what sprouted this weekend!!!