This year’s Fourth of July weekend was a bit different than previous years.  It had its ups and downs.

On Saturday, I went to the Wolf Center for a full day of volunteering.

I got to work with some really fun volunteers and they asked me if I would like to become animal care trained (duh!).  This was very exciting for me since they do not put everyone through this training.

At the end of my long, hot day, I was invited to watch a wolf feeding.  It was cool to watch how the wolves moved, how they snuck forward to eat their food, how excited they got when they knew it was feeding time.

I am so happy I have the opportunity to volunteer at such an amazing place with such amazing people!

Sunday, Andy and I took the dogs down to Oceanside for the day.  We stopped at a brewery in town for lunch and some tasty beer.

We enjoyed the beautiful California weather from rooftop seating.

We drove down by the beach and were amazed at just how busy it was.  We couldn’t find a place to park so we just took a slow drive by the ocean.

Then we went over to visit Andy’s aunt and grandpa for dinner.  We had a nice meal outside and watched the dogs play in the yard.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day.

On Monday, we spent a relaxing day at home.  It was quite a different celebration from our normal Fourth of July schedule of events.  We had a steady tradition of spending the day out on the lake at Andy’s dad’s house, on the lake we both grew up on.  The aptly named “Lake Independence” was the perfect place to spend Independence Day.  

We’d gather our friends, a cooler of drinks and snacks, and head out for a day of boating, swimming, and tubing.  Back at the house, we’d grill up a big meal and hang out on the lawn (occasionally launching off a firework or two and hoping we didn’t break any more windows).  Then if we weren’t too tired from our day in the sun, we would head to the fireworks in the next town over

Holidays sure make us miss our friends and family.

This year, after our day of relaxing at home, we drove about a mile away, parked on the side of the road, tuned in to the local radio station, and watched fireworks that were choreographed to the music.  Then we headed home for an early night.

It was an interesting weekend, a busy weekend, and one that made us miss our home in Minnesota (except for the gorgeous weather we got to enjoy—and the lack of mosquitos while watching the fireworks).

The weekend had note of sadness surrounding it.  My uncle passed away on Saturday.  I found out after getting home from the Wolf Center.  It took us by surprise and it happened too quickly, as far as I’m concerned.  I am thankful that I was able to get to know him more over the past few years on our yearly trips up north for deer hunting.  He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.  I am sorry I can’t be with my family during this sad time but my thoughts are with them.  Rest in peace uncle Roland.  We love you.