Memorial Day Picnic with the Hunters

The Hunter family celebrates Memorial Day with The Howlers, Sanctuary, and Club Charonte.

Waking up early Monday morning, I almost bound out of bed from the building excitement about today’s BBQ. The Howlers would be playing today, I really enjoy listening to them play whenever I got the chance. Plus, Sanctuary and Club Charonte would be supplying food, it was going to be a good day.

Walking into Alexander’s room I see my little man is already awake, he’s standing up, holding onto the bars on his crib. Taking him over to the changing table I replace last night’s diaper, after three kids I’ve gotten pretty good at this. After getting Alex dressed and ready for today, I start packing all the extras will need for him.

Marissa was already in NJ’s room helping him get dressed and even packing some things in a bag from him to play with today. Checking through the bag to see what she put in and it brings a smile to my face that she has everything we’ll need. Knowing it going to be a long day I pack extra everything just to be on the safe side.

Once the bags are ready and the kids are dressed, I tell them to go downstairs and ask Rosa politely, to make them something to eat. Watching as they go running off to find Rosa I head into the garage and put the bags in the back of the Man-Van, then back upstairs to shower before we take off for the day.

There was just no parking to be found close to the park, finding a spot a few blocks away, I said “I’ll take Marissa and NJ and you can push Alex in the stroller.”

Once we have Alex buckled in the stroller, I lift NJ up onto my shoulders, take Marissa’s hand and start walking up to the park. It was still early enough in the day that the heat wasn’t a factor yet, but for all those people who were coming later in the day, they would be parking further away and walking in the heat. I just hope they would be smart enough to have some water with them.

Finding an area with a good view of the stage and easy access to the buffet line they had set up for Event, I laid out the blanket and got the kids settled while Amanda looked around at everything that was done. “It pretty incredible what they were able to pull off.” I say, gazing out over at the stage, and all the banners posted everywhere. It was quite a sight to behold.

Making my first pass through the all the food laid out in front of me, I grab some burgers and hotdogs for the kids, along with some potato salad and corn-on-the-cob. Dropping off the first load of food to the kids I give Amanda the rundown on all the food available, after telling me what she would like, I head back over to make the second run for the adults.

After successfully navigating the growing line for the food, I make my way back to Amanda and the kids and sit down to eat. The ribs were so tender the meat was practically falling off the bone, the tangy flavor of the BBQ sauce melted across my tongue, awaking my taste buds and causing my mouth to water more.

After I finished my plate of ribs, I had BBQ all over my face and hands, this is why I packed the extra wet-wipes, for times like this they are your best friend. By the time I’m done I have a pile of dirty wet-wipes in front of me, but I’m full and content right now, time to kick back and listen to some music.