July 7th

Sorry I didn't write anything this past Monday but as it was the Fourth I wasn't home to write anything. This past week has been so much fun! I went to my cousin, Katie's wedding on Saturday and she looked beautiful! She's always dressed in jeans and t-shirts so when she walked down the aisle in that dress I didn't recognize her at first. It was an amazing wedding and reception afterwards. I got to spend the night with my other cousin, Amanda (she's sisters with the bride). After the reception Katie had an after party for people in the bridal party and I was invited to go also. It was a lot of fun. We went out to the best man's parents' farm and we had a small bonfire out there. Also, some alcohol was there (mostly beer though which I don't like) but I was responsible and didn't drink a whole lot. We stayed up until 1:30 in the morning and then I had to get up for church. I didn't complain too much because I wanted to go to church since it was my last Sunday here. After that we all went to my grandma's for lunch. I remember telling you all that she does the best cooking ever and she didn't disappoint. She made a chicken noodle casserole with homemade noodles. Amazing! Then we came home where our neighbors invited us to a bonfire that they were having. It was fun and there was a lot of good food. I had a pizza sandwich cooked in a pie iron over the fire. So delicious! Also, Becca flew in Sunday evening so I went with my dad to pick her up. It was nice just being able to spend time with my dad (it was an hour drive to get to the airport). We talked about things that I wouldn't normally talk to my dad about.
The next day was July 4th and the nieghbors made us breakfast on the fire. It was really good but there was a lot. I'm not a big breakfast person so I didn't eat too much. After that we went to my grandma's for a family gathering. It was so great setting up the picnic tables and bringing all that food outside. Also, being able to see family members that I haven't seen in who knows how long. I saw cousins that were once babies and are now in preschool. I can't believe how much everyone has grown. Shortly after lunch, me and a group of cousins went for a walk down the road just like in the old days. Memory lane opened up and it was great. When we got back it was time for dessert and all of it was great. My grandma made a peanut butter pie that was heavenly. Then people started leaving and we started putting things away. My grandma was busy with everything and so I tried to get her to sit down and relax for a little. I would have had an easier time teaching a fish to fly; she is always up and doing something. I love my grandma and I wanted her to relax because she had done more than enough that day.
Anyway, Tuesday comes and my family (mainly my dad) had decided that we were gonna take a trip that day. We woke up at 4 in the morning to drive to Niagara Falls. It was a tough road trip. It only took 4 hours to get to New York but when you are stuck in the back seat with as little space as possible, it seems so much longer. So, we get to New York and the truck starts making a weird noise. Apparently, the air pump is broken and the iodits who made the truck only put one belt in the engine. Therefore, if that belt says freezes because the air pump is broken and shooting cold air on the belt and the belt breaks, then the whole engine with seizes up and we would have been stranded. So, we got to New York had breakfast and then turned around and came back. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my Tuesday but it was nice hanging with the family (although sitting in that backseat was awful). We get back and go swimming in the neighbor's pool instead.
Wednesday was the best day! I told my dad that I wanted to go to Mifflin which is the small town that I grew up in. So we drove there and I almost started crying. We saw the old house and stopped for ice cream at the corner place (which was right up the street from the house). I got a picture of the front of the house and I couldn't stop looking at it. Then we went to my old elementary school and it was like walking down memory lane. I had to really hold myself together cause I almost lost it. If I do end up moving back to Ohio, then I want to move back to Mifflin. It's a small town with only two roads and one intersections; if you blink you might miss it.
Well, that's how my week has gone. Oh! I was freaking out because I didn't have any place to live and I almost started crying (I've been close to crying a lot this week). Thankfully, I have a place now. I will have my own room and no one will get it before I get there. I feel like this giant weight is off my shoulders now. I can't stop smiling. Well, that's all. I hope everyone had a great July 4th. Talk to you all later. my next post will probably be from Phoenix since I'm flying back there on Saturday. My visit in Ohio was too short and I'm not ready to leave but I will visit again soon.