Barbenheimer!

 Last weekend we really packed in time with the neighborhood group.  A couple new kittens foudn home on our street, so Jen texted to see if we wanted to meet her new boys: Neptune and Apollo. So, after work we went down there to hang out. And afterwards, we played some DnD with Mike and Marcus. Asa is going to be leading the Teen DnD club down at the library and has been practicing with us. Then a couple of the Harvison's wanted in on it, so he wrote them a campaign- and then eventually we all met up. 

Friday the 21st was also our dating/engagement anniversary. That's right, I've been with this guy for the last 19 years, which seems even crazy to say. Somehow it feels like forever, but not even nearly enough. I often say it took me a few times to get it right- but boy, did I ever end of getting it right in the end. It was our four year anniversary when we got engaged too, so it marked 15 years since we got engaged. We don't always go out or do anything big for that anniversary. It falls at a rough time of year, and when Asa worked for Verizon he never had enough vacation days (though now we're so lucky the issue is using your days before you lose your days!), but we always do a little something. This year we had an ice cream date, but we did have a trip planned a few days later just the two of us, so we kind of counted that as anniversary time. Next year we might do something big- you know, to denote TWENTY whole years together. 

After our ice cream date, the other neighbors invited us over to see their new kitten. So, they had Yoda from my little rescue group. Sadly though, they had taken two from that group, but one did not make it. They didn't want poor Yoda to grow up alone though, and they had some friends with kittens, so they were able to get one about the same age as Yoda. Once Yoda got his all clear clean bill of health, and the new kitten was big enough to come home, we came over to visit. 

Yoda and Vader are now the best of buds, and they particularilly enjoyed Calib's shoes. 

Saturday Asa and I went with some friends we had met awhile back, Jake and Ama, for a Barbenheimer double feature where we were going to see Oppenheimer and Barbie in the same evening (complete with a costume change!) Because of our times to see them both we did end up paying the upcharge to see Oppenhiemer in the dolby theater with the enhanced color and sound- and it was AMAZING. Totally worth the upcharge. I am a sucker for a historical movie, and I really enjoyed Oppenheimer. 

After that, we were on to see Barbie. We wanted to see it second as a bit of a pallet cleanser. Oppenhiemer was so well done- with the black and white and color points of views, with the acting and the cinematography, but it is obviously a heavy movie. So Barbie was supposed to be the fun and light movie (though it is a bit emotional!)  

With our costume change complete, we headed in with Jake and Ama to watch Barbie, which also didn't disappoint. It too was shockingly well done, and a fun watch. I appreciate Jake and Ama for floating the idea of a double date night to do the whole Barbenheimer thing. As a non-movie buff, I never would have done such a thing, but we had a great time. 

We did have to use a new theater because the one we used to go to, Regal, closed. But turns out AMC Veterans is WAY better, so we won't be so sad that that's our new theater. It's a tiny bit further, but really not a huge deal, and apparently you can get matinees for like $10. I know this because now Hayden wants to go see Barbie, so we'll be going this weekend with some more friends to see it again. 

Sunday it rained most of the day, but stopped in time to have a pool party over at Vince and Alicia's house. They had a whole bunch of the neighborhood over for some pool time and a cookout. It'd been awhile since driveway parties (it's way too hot for that), so it was nice to see everyone since the first time since like May. 

Mostly the guys took over the pool though. We did teach them all about emoji ball, which got pretty intense, but everyone had a good time, and the older crowd had a good time watching and learning all about the emoji ball rules. 

There were so many leftovers, Vince and Alicia told us to come over for dinner the following night. Since it was a Monday and I usually have to cook on Mondays, I was happy to come over. Unfortunately, it rained the whole evening again- though Asa and Hayden managed to squeeze in some pool time inbetween lightning. Then, after hearing Asa and I were leaving for a few days and the kids would have to "fend for themselves" the neighbors sent Hayden and Calib home with a whole bunch food and snacks to get them through. Plus, their grandkids had just left and they had all kinds kid snacky things leftover. I don't know how long they think we were going for, it was just a couple of nights, but they really loaded them up. 

Calib wasn't even there for one night, because he's in Ohio for his annual Kettner meet up. He flew out while we were gone, because they just so happened to book his flight the one day in July we had non-changable plans. But, it all worked out. 

Next up: We're headed north to Atlanta with a stop in Plains, Georgia on the way!