The Week Continued and then Goodbye

The gorgeous weather we were given continued through the rest of the week while Ryan and Ethan were here.

On the 4th we took Ryan and Ethan to Coney Island to experience Saganaki for the first time..



After that we headed over to Mom and Dad's for a delicious dinner which consisted of hot dogs, home made potato salad, home-made German potato salad, and grilled chicken! *props to my Mother-in-Law for the amazing food!*

We then killed some time before the fireworks by taking Bella for a walk.







Our walk led us to a mini-market where we enjoyed some refreshing Freezies. It was such a gorgeous day. It was hot but breezy and the grass and leaves were so green.

Then it was time to load up and head to the fire works!



There is something magical about the sun setting on a fair ground. First the colors of orange and pink illuminate the sky and suddenly everything becomes lit with the vibrant lights from all the rides.







We met up with Cathy, Samantha, Heather, Joe, and Jessica (family) which was awesome and set our blankets down next to them for the fireworks. It was nice getting time to chit chat with Ryan and Ethan while we impatiently waited for the show to begin.. we even got so desperate and played "I Spy" and "Rock, Paper, Scissors" It didn't last long..



I don't think they know just how much they are adored <3
 







And then finally...the show began!







I'm always eager to get a good picture of the fireworks that I often don't sit back and really enjoy it. This time I decided I would snap a few and then put the camera away and just be in the moment completely. It was a very fulfilling experience as I sat there in amazement of the flashing lights across the sky and how extravagant fireworks have become! To top it all off I was in the arms of my Lucas. He and I still joke about the crazy days of being apart for so long. Thankful those days are over <3


 The next day we had a relaxing day at the apartment. After dinner Luke and I took Ryan and Ethan to Ruby Tuesday's for one of my personal favorite desserts...
 

I can already feel my mouth watering...



Needless to say we scarfed it down pretty darn quick.









On our final day, Luke and I really wanted to go out with a bang! The day started with Downtown Plymouth while we waited for Luke to get home.

Once Luke got home, our evening began with an animated game of mini golf!



Ryan was the first to get a "hole-in-one"



Ethan also scored a hole-in-one!..And this was his "Victory Pose"







After mini-golf, Luke and I couldn't resist the temptation to ride the newly re-done golf cart track! Luke won..followed by Ryan and Ethan..I was last :-) I'm not as much of a "fast and furious" driver as I had hoped I would be once I got out there. That's ok.

To finish off the night we stopped by Wal-Mart to pick up a tub of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice cream to enjoy as we played games before it was time to hit the sack.

All throughout the evening the thought of this being my last day with these guys kept running in and out of my mind. As soon as it would enter my mind I would quickly push it out. But once I laid my head down on my pillow the flooding of thoughts and questions entering my mind was inevitable. Questions like, "Did they have a really good time?" "Did I take advantage of as many moments to interact with them as I could?" "Did I make them feel really welcome and at home?"

When my alarm went off at 8:00am the next morning I was suddenly hit with the reality that, "I get to see my dad today!" My heart leapt as I sprung out of bed and quickly started getting ready. I felt like a child coming home from summer camp getting to see my mom and dad again for the first time in a long and exciting week! All this time I was thinking about having to say goodbye to Ryan and Ethan that I hadn't really taken in the idea of getting to be with my Dad!

We gathered all of their belongings, ate a bowl of cereal, loaded up the car, and began the trip down to OH to meet my Dad halfway. We listened to the radio and talked about the week and how fast the time goes.

Finally the gps advised that we had "reached our destination." I saw my dad's car parked at BK but didn't see him in it. We all ran inside to see him standing there waiting for his order...

I cannot explain to you the joy I felt getting to run up to him.

I got to sit and talk with my dad for a good half hour, just catching up and mutually asking questions back and forth to one another, trying to squeeze in as much as we could. It was wonderful.

After purchasing one last Coolatta from Dunkin Donuts (The boys and I had one almost every day of the week), and filling up the car with gas, it was time to start saying our "good-byes."


Ryan and Ethan were very instrumental in cleaning my car....NOT! ;-)





I will always be your little girl <3



Driving away from them was THEE worst part. Thankfully I have a very calming mother who is always good at helping me in times like these. I called her and she just worked her magic reminding me that we will be seeing each other again sooner than you know it and that the week I had to spend with my brothers was very special.

Thank goodness for Moms.

I am a lucky lucky girl to have the family I have. I love you Ryan and Ethan and will never forget our week together here in MI!