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!
To kick off the Lopshire Reunion this afternoon, Roger presented a special gift to Gary.
Roger talked about his first time attending the reunion 4 years ago before he and Martha were married. He learned about each of Martha's siblings, and Gary invited him to the "meat store" that Thursday. He said he thought he was going to sell hotdogs, but when he arrived Eric was "mowing down animals with semi-automatic rifles," and Gary was "hacking them up with machetes." (A little exaggeration to illustrate his surprise, I think.) Roger said he went out to the yard to give administer last rites to the rest of the animals, and that he can't eat meat on Thursdays now.
Those of us who know Gary well, know that Thursday is what is called "kill day" at his butcher shop. Roger had been a little surprised, and also amazed by what Gary does to run his business.
This gift, to be hung at the butcher shop, includes carved/engraved leather with the business name and year of establishment, and says, "In honor of your [Gary's] commitment to hard work and family loyalty."
He is a very hard working and loyal man, worthy of being recognized.
It was really nice to hang out with Eric and Marti's kids. We don't get to see them often enough!
Charlie is 16 now.
Andrew got a little warm playing basketball outside!
Joey and Uncle Jeremy had a chat about sibling rivalry.
Simon is 12, and such a sweetheart.
These guys are definitely related.
Aunt Karen found a deck of cards in her car so the kids could play.
Karen snapped this picture of our whole big gang and texted it to me while Roger took some with his nice camera.
Tony has no fear when he wrestles! He tried to take down Uncle Jeremy like he was the same size! No wonder he is a state champion!
The boys wanted to arm wrestle their Uncle Jeremy!
VIDEO:
Lucy was content playing with her Shopkins.
Sylvia joined her.
Wilson is now 18 and a high school graduate, heading to Ancilla College in the fall.
Caeden and Tony, discussing wrestling...
Uncle Eric having a chat with the girls...
Joey and Lucy
Simon wanted me to take a picture of him doing this...
It was a nice time with our LopFam!
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Caeden went for a swim on his own this afternoon.
Jeremy and my dad cleaned out gutters.
Tessa, Bryce, and Grayson got home from their trip while Caeden was swimming, so everybody jumped in the pool!
