fathers day weekend

Marissa and Zuriel flew in to celebrate Anthony's birthday and Father's Day! It was a quick trip for them, but we made sure to squeeze in as much fun as possible.

Marissa was sad that Zack wasn't able to spend much time with us. He had to work, and his schedule is made weeks in advance. Thankfully, Emily brought the baby over both days so everyone could get some time together.

We all went to dinner as a family at Taphouse. Zack, Emily, Marissa, Zuriel, Sam, Aubrey, Maia, Charlotte, and William were all there. After dinner, Aubrey took everyone 18 and under home while the rest of us headed to the piano bar.

Marissa and Zuriel were great sports. They had been awake for almost 24 hours straight but let Dad celebrate as long as he wanted to. We all drank way too much, danced, sang, and screamed the night away. By the time we walked out of the piano bar, we could barely hear anything. The music was loud, and our voices were completely gone.

But we were all laughing as we made our way back to the car.

When we got home, Aubrey had surprised us with cookies and brownies. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Anthony and then pretty much all passed out.

Sunday morning, I picked up everything we needed for French toast, bacon, and sausage. I let the kids sleep in and completely forgot that Marissa wanted to see Zack's new apartment before they left.

So we put the food in the oven and drove over to visit him. Luckily, he only lives about ten minutes away. He had to leave for work, but we got there just in time to spend about twenty minutes with him.

They held the baby, laughed, cried, and then we headed back home.

After a big breakfast, we took the dogs for a walk and then got ready to start our day around 1:00. Anthony, Aubrey, Zuriel, and I went shooting. It was a lot of fun... until it wasn't.

We came home, swam, and enjoyed a few drinks until the baby, Emily, and Emily's parents arrived. At that point, I started pounding water. I don't like being drunk around my grandbabies. My kids saw too much of that growing up, and I never want that for my grandchildren.

After about an hour of water and Liquid IV, I felt much better and got to hold my grandson.

After everyone left, Dad stayed up with the kids while I went to bed. Too much sun and no naps had caught up with me.

The next morning, I was up at 4:45 and took Marissa and Zuriel with me to the gym. I did my class while they worked on their challenge. Then we went home, walked the dogs, swam, showered, and headed to the airport.

I cried the ugly cry after dropping them off.

Then I sat in traffic on the way home, took my car in to get fixed—again—came home, picked up Sam, took him to work, and then went to work myself.

When I finally got home, the depression kicked in and I went straight to bed. I didn't get up until 6:30 this morning. I even missed the gym.

I hate that my kids don't live close to me. It really sucks.

I love weekends like this.

The good news is that in just two weeks, I get to see my daughter, my other grandson, and Marissa and Zuriel again. Until then, I'll just be counting down the days.