SOLD!!

In short, we had a GREAT Memorial Day weekend!  While at work on Friday, John got a call from a realtor that wanted to bring her clients by the next day.  They lived out of town so only had a few hour window.  LeeAnn came over to help clean and straighten, Ray, my Mom and Dad all came too to help move out some unnecessary furniture...and after a hectic several hours, Rudy and I were sound asleep and ready for our trip!  We left early Saturday morning and LeeAnn came over to "show" the house later that morning.

Rudy slept almost the entire trip and when we arrived everyone was just finishing up the Tower Trot...which Uncle George won a second-place medal in his age group and Aunt Ga-Ga the Great won an award for finishing in her age group!  Pretty good start to the day! 

Grandpa Ballweg was participating in a Chili Cookoff close by, so we decided to go visit him and cheer him on.  John left with Rudy to cruise around and try to get him to fall asleep before we left.  He pulled back into the driveway to pick me up and got out with his arms out wide, "We got an offer on the house!!  And, Rudy fell asleep!!" -- two great things!  We went back and forth a bit on negotiations and settled on a final amount that John and I are thrilled about, and especially that we sold it in less than 30 days!  (I'm nervous I'm jinxing ourselves here...something could still technically fall through, but that's not likely to happen and I'm trying to think positive).  Mom and Dad will be getting a few roommates and a dog in the next few weeks and until our new house is ready, which hopefully won't be more than a couple months or so.  So back to the weekend...Dad brought home a third place trophy...a winning day, all around!

 Rudy was a natural at figuring out his way around the chili tent...even found Grandpa's stash!

That evening we had a cook-out at the Minella's and some friends of ours from the area came over, too.  We all went to see Frank's band, Walsher Clemmons, play at a bar near by.  Aunt Dawn the Great was nice enough to stay home with Rudy for a few hours so I could go, too.  I don't make it that late these days, anyway! 

 Sunday, we all caravan-ed to the Brookfield Zoo.  We laughed on the way there...we haven't gone to the zoo as a family is yeeeeears.  But because of Rudy, the 9-month old who won't even know the difference between the stationary tiger and the tree and definitely won't remember the trip, we all wanted to go!  Get ready for lots of pictures...

 Even though Rudy was well-rested from a 3-hour nap earlier that morning, the heat really wore him out!  He was happy when Dad was holding him and took little interest in the animals, except for the dolphins and polar bear that were active and swimming around (I don't think he knew what to look at with the others)

 Uncle Tony is so enthusiastic!

My favorite :)

 Viewing the penguins

 Gran was Rudy's personal driver when Dad wasn't holding him.  She stayed on the side with the shade and kept him moving.  He snoozed for about 30 minutes!

 And we couldn't leave without some souvenirs!  Uncle Tony was nice enough to treat Rudy to a little turtle (his favorite on Baby Einstein) and a giraffe (another favorite site at the zoo!)

...walking to the car.  Someone looks tired!

It was such a good weekend, but we were also glad to get home.  Thanks to the holiday, I was able to have 2 more days at home with Rudy.  John was busy working on the house and has gotten a lot done in the last couple days.  I have been packing up what I can and John, George and Max already loaded up a few car-loads of stuff.  We will slowing start moving things out, besides the essentials until we make the "official" move.  

Rudy LOVES to be outside playing.  I "let him go" yesterday and he was squealing in delight, picking up and throwing the rocks and yelling at Rufus running back and forth...completely covered in dirt (even found it in his diaper).  But that's what summers are for, right?!