Fireworks

Growing up we always watched fireworks at my grandparent's house.  They may not have been as elaborate as the big city's display but to us it was awesome.  Then I married, moved away, had kids and have since moved back to my home area.  However, we now live in a different county than my parents and are not able to set off fireworks.  We could stay home and not have any or drive an hour plus to see the big show or drive 25 mins and see a slightly smaller show but big enough to wow us.  We chose to drive 25 min this year and the kids were ready. 

Ben waiting

The rest of the fam waiting

Peter waiting.  Poor guy was sooooo very tired, but he was a trooper

We have gone a couple times before and do you know what their memory of it is?  It was the homemade oreos that I made and took as snacks.  Those little cookies are now a tradition and must be made every year for the firework display.  This year I actually thought I had lost the recipe and I was sure I was going to have a mutiny, but I found it and all ended well.

Lex eating a homemade oreo

Peter eating a homemade oreo

Gone Fishin'

After celebrations at my parent's house we went to my grandma's for more 4th of July fun.  More games.  More food.  More people.  More insanity and all that goes with it.  Peter held up remarkably well for getting no real nap and the kids loved running and winning prizes.  The most looked forward to activity it the fish pond.  For weeks before the actual event all I heard was "When we get to Grandma Vanderholm's we get to go fishing for prizes."  Every child from the oldest down to the youngest (not counting Peter) had fond memories and couldn't wait to do it again.  So without further ado here are their fishing pics...

Benjamin

one of his prizes

Christopher

one of his prizes

Evan

Lex

one of her prizes

Peter

Super Heroes

July 4th super heroes in action

Introducing:

Lex as Bat Girl

Peter as Bat Boy with daddy wearing his mask

Evan as Robin

Chris as Spiderman

And Ben as Frozone

I'm thinking a couple of these pictures can and will be used as blackmail once the boys get older.  Sorry Ben and Chris, but it is my duty as mother to take compromising pictures.

Fourth of July - take one

I'm a little overwhelmed and not sure where to start.  I've been plagued by the curse of the technology age.  Fourth of July was...well almost 2 months ago and I still haven't gone through all the pictures yet.  However, I did make it through the first phase of our day and I'm now ready to put them up.

We started the day at my parent's house with a parade followed by carnival type games and races. 

 The parade theme this year was super heroes.  I think I'm a little under-inspired by some of these pint sizes heroes.  Maybe they'll grow....

Along with some carnival booths with games we also had races.

Here are Ben, Nat and Chris racing in the sack race

Not sure how but we got the men to race.  Poor dad.  Hope he doesn't have a heart attack trying to beat Doug and Jeff W.

The newbie couple took a turn racing.

There was a relay race where you had to run, put on clothes, run to the end and then come back, take them off and finish.

Evan

Pull those pants up!

Lex

Justin and Finn at the sack race

Sammy, Evan and Stef racing

Ben at the ring toss

Lex throwing darts

Lex fishin'

Stefany trying to drop a pencil in a pop bottle from the height of her nose.

At each of the carnival games the kids earned tickets which they were able to trade in at the end for prizes.

Heritage Celebration

July 24th is the day our church celebrates the pioneers and all they went through.  Our ward held a celebration western style to celebrate. 

There was candle making

and tug o' war,

and dizzy broom races,

and sack races,

and nail hammering

and of course food.  I made some pioneer hardtack (basically crackers) that went really well with some homemade jam.  All this fun led to a tired crash as we left

A huge thanks to all those who went before so we can have all that we do now.

Our first egg

Back in April we rescued two little birds from the second grade classroom.  Okay rescue is a little strong.  Chris' class hatched the eggs out and spring break was near.  The birds needed homes so to the urging of our children we got a couple.  Happens that while we were trying for 2 hens we got a hen and a rooster.  They are actually pretty for chickens.  Imagine our surprise when Chris comes in Sunday afternoon after feeding the birds with this little thing.

Our babies are all grown up and laying eggs for us.  Or at least she is.  He isn't doing much laying :)

A little craziness

It's not often that I let myself do something crazy and outside of my comfort zone let alone get proof of said craziness.  Sunday both instances occured and I'm willing to share.  While going through some old boxes of stuff, Doug found these glasses and we all had to try them all.  Well, not Peter he probably would have tried to eat them.

Ben and Chris

Me and Doug

Lex and Ev

The kids had a blast with these things.  They are now safely back in storage for another time when the crazies come out.