4th of July Weekend

We all went to Indiana for the weekend and had such a nice time!

When we arrived on Friday evening, a new family member had also just arrived for the first time--Tessa's new mini dachshund puppy, Luna! I am just floored by how incredibly tiny she is!!!

She makes Wrigley look gigantic!

I think they will get along just fine once Wrigley learns that Luna is the new boss!

It was 4th-of-July-hot, so of course there was swimming and no-net volleyball

Katie and Roy came up from Indy, and it was so nice to see them!

Jeremy, ever the "grill master," grilled burgers, brats, and hot dogs to go with all the other yummy summer cookout foods. 

There were some games of euchre for those who can remember how to play it.

There were also some rounds of PIT! and Ryan showed us how to play his US National Parks game.

These girls looked cute as usual and patriotic as well.

 

Even Sylvia {who is not an animal person} likes Luna!

There were s'mores and sparklers!

Always boppin'

These guys kept control of the fire. So nice that Clay stopped by!

The kids noticed that the lightning bugs came out, and they started to catch some!

They also played the song Fireflies and danced to it.

Uncle Travis and Jeremy put on their excellent yearly fireworks show.  In fact, since towns weren't really doing them, it seemed lots of neighbors were putting on some pretty good shows, and it was cool to see them all at the same time.  Trav's was the best as always though!

So grateful to our wonderful hostess, who is always so gracious to open her home whenever we decide to crash on in! She is always so welcoming. Love you so much, Mom. 

Annah got to watch Luna while Tessa went to church

The rest of us headed home on Sunday morning. 

The 4th of July

We got to celebrate the 4th of July in Indiana with family!

When we arrived last night, we saw a sign from Tessa in the kitchen.  When we got downstairs, Caeden said, "Mom!  Come check this out!"  The twins had made signs and put them on the bed he sleeps in! Caeden thought it was pretty awesome that the boys were thinking of him and would do that for him!!

These two were SO excited to see each other this morning!!

The girls had some Barbie fashion time...

Let's take a little closer look at their designs, shall we?  Uh.....hmmm.

Of course there was swimming in Krampa's pool today!

Jeremy picked up some excellent meats from W and W Locker and grilled them.  What a blessing to be gathered around the table with our family.

Mom, always making sure we are fed, served, and feeling loved.

Sparklers!!!

Erin serenaded us with a little bit of My Country 'Tis of Thee!  

Travis and Jeremy put on a spectacular fireworks show for us!  Thanks guys!!!

We are thankful for our freedom in this country, and in Jesus.

Independance Day Celebration

Jeremy grilled up some great brats, burgers and dogs this evening, and Clay and Steph and the girls came over to join us all in celebrating the 4th of July.  

Making waves!

The kids like to be thrown in the air to make a big splash!

Grayson

Natalie

Annah made a new friend in Elizabeth. 

Erin made this absolutely amazing lemon poppyseed cake with raspberry filling!!! It was so pretty and perfect! She put a lot of time and love into it too, which made it even more special.  Wow.

At dusk, Uncle Travis [assisted by Uncle Jeremy] put on his annual fireworks show.  We watched from the patio by the pool.

Grayson likes the fireworks, but not really the noise of them.  Gram hooked him up with noise canceling headphones.  Bryce wanted nothing to do with the fireworks, so he and Sylvia went inside and colored in a room far away from the fireworks.

VIDEO: The Grand Finale!

Thank you, Uncle Travis, for a great fireworks show!