It’s been 5 days since my surgery and I am off the pain meds. Honestly, I could use them right about now, but they kept me up itching Monday night for 3 straight hours, so I gave them up. My current plan is to head back to work next week (with an extra chair and pillows to prop up my foot). Hopefully this wont be too much too soon because I really miss using my brain. Daytime tv and the internet are certainly mind erasers.

The kids are safely in Washington visiting with Uncle Jamie, Auntie Bethany and their cousins. They are seeing all sorts of new and different things and I am so thrilled they have this opportunity to spend time with family they havent seen in 6 years! I am living vicariously through their text messages and photo messages:

The G's in Atlanta

Black Tail Deer at Northwest Trek

This summer has been flying by! The rest of July was packed with lots of work and many fun adventures!

Megan headed out to Arizona to visit with Nicole and they had a great time. Megan flew like a pro, even with a rerouted flight because of storms.

Nicole and Megan in Yuma AZ

We took a whale watch out of Newburyport with the kids.

Newburyport MA

The boys & I went to see Annie at Palace Theatre in Manchester. I was super excited to share this experience with them as seeing Annie when I was a child with my Dad and brother, Jamie, the summer before 5th grade was an awesome memory.

Annie at Palace Theatre

I got to meet Jill’s gorgeous new baby, Aiden.

Meeting Aiden

Scott and I spent a romantic day heading up through Portsmouth for lunch, a walk on the Marginal Way in Ogunquit and some outlet shopping in Kittery finished with some dinner at Holidays in Auburn.

Scott and Rachael ?

I was very excited to finally spend some time with my girls!

Krista, Rachael & Sharmaine

Scott took the boys golfing several times and Megan golfed for her very first time.

Golfing at Meadowbrook

The boys and I headed to Moose Hillock in Warren NH for a camping trip with Joy, Art, Lynne, George, Amanda, Pat, Marie & Norm! We were super excited for some relaxation in the sun!

Joy, Rachael & Marie

Kaylee by the pool

Dane

Dylan and Kyle

I ended up with a heck of a lot more relaxation than I bargained for beginning the very first night of the trip. I was following a little girl and when she jumped off a 3 foot retaining wall, I followed suit. The last thing I remember is the moment before I hit thinking “This wasnt a good idea.” I broke both the inside and outside of my ankle and ended up having surgery yesterday. I am not able to bear any weight on it for 6 weeks, which includes driving, so I am pretty much screwed. The surgeon said I should expect a full 6 months (best case scenario) before I am entirely healed. It’s definitely going to be a long difficult road.

Right ankle

Rachael before surgery

We had eagerly been looking forward to the 3rd Annual Wall Fourth of July Celebration and it did not disappoint! The kids (and myself) were really excited to tool around on their dune buggy…. something we had never done before! The food was plentiful and the fireworks were fantastic! We are already counting down to next year (264 days in case you are wondering…)!

Coly & Dane

My first dune buggy ride!

Steph, Sherri & me

Sherri looks short! LOL

Me & Scott

Alicia, Alicia's friend and Meg