Fourth of July Recap

What a great 4th of July. We had company for most of the holiday - Bruce and Htway and Chatt drove in from New Jersey. It was great catching up with them. It's been almost 10 years since we've had a real visit.



Steve and Bruce took the kids fishing at the little pond in the neighborhood. They would have fished from morning to night if the adults would have lasted that long. Bruce even caught a bass. We didn't know anything that big lived in the pond.







We had to make some down time in between all the late nights and fun days. The guys played some kind of convoluted and confusing version of Risk called Axis and Allies. We girls enjoyed card games that didn't require any negotiations or attacking plastic armies.



On the 3rd, our neighbors put on a fireworks show that would rival a small town. They are huge, and explode right overhead. Can you say loud? DeAnne said too loud, so Htway and I took her home well before it was over, and watched from our own patio.



If you are really creative, glow sticks can provide entertainment for a long long time. Jillian was a glow princess. her words, not mine. ha.





DeAnne before the show got too intense. She was a good sport, and had a great time right up until she didnt.






We took the Aitons to the farm on the 4th. We have a big family get-together each year to celebrate the holiday, and also Dad's birthday which is on the 6th. Honestly, I think Dad wouldn't pick any other way to celebrate, having everyone gather around for a fun day.



It was very hot outside, but as the day got later, we did eventually get outside. While loading the fire pit with wood, Dad got out the little tractor, and then a few lucky kids who were sharp enough to be in the right place at the right time got to drive it around the driveway. Jillian had the last turn, she took it around the drive, and on the second lap ran out of gas. Pushing isn't as fun as driving. It was a great learning experience for her future. lol.





And since no one cared if Ghana or Uruguay won, some of the more energetic of the family went out to play our own version of World Cup soccer. Allen took on Hope's boyfriend Jay, and most of the other kids got in on the game at some point. I hope Allen took those Aleve when he got home. I know he had to be sore the next day.

And last but certainly not least, we continued our annual and totally unnecessary marshmallow roasting tradition. Everyone knows its more fun to roast than to eat, but we managed to put away a good amount of Hersheys anyway.