Fourth of July

It turns out that the week of fourth of july is just as exhausting as the week of halloween...so many activities!  But gosh, we had (sweaty) fun....

We love restaurant runs in the minibus!

First up was a big fireworks show in Rogers.  Last year, we tried to see this one, but it got rained out.  Success this year!  Syd's face here is priceless.

It was a beautiful evening for it.  

We had amazing seats.  Unfortunately, we were sort of in the drop zone for all the shrapnel and smoke.  Worth it!

The kids were all okay with it - no one got afraid of the loud noises or big bangs.  Of course, they were all tired from running around for hours and being up past their bedtime, so that probably helped.

she always ends up in daddy's lap <3

Next up was a neighbor's pre-fourth of july get-together (on the third).  This is Bradley, Millie's newest play buddy.  He moved in across the street a few months ago, and they have been inseparable ever since!

Fourth of July and JKK's off work!  We gathered up our friends and headed to the Roaring River Water Slide for some good old-fashioned fun!

Piddy and mommy

 

Millie and Elle

We made a train!  Amanda, Cayden, Beckham, Mills, Syd, KK

our little gymnast

Mills and Cayden

 Amanda and Beckham

They could do this for hours: Syd, Emilia, Cayden, Beck, Mills, Elle, Beckham (Olivia not pictured)

Then we just HAD to stop at the Short Stop for lunch and ice cream on the way home.  It's tradition! Emilia went for the more appropriate size.  I could just eat her up!

JKK, not so much...

Then a little dip in the pool...

...before we got into our own fireworks.  Harry Potter is becoming a big thing with the kiddos, so of course the sparklers became wands.  Expelliarmus!

Daddy didn't buy enough parachutes for Syd's liking - the kids love to chase them down!

Millie and Syd surprised the boys with a silly string war.  JKK and I sort of got in on that also...

It turns out it is really hard to get it out of millie's hair, so she's sworn it off forever ;)  I'm totally okay with this.

Ahhhh, what a good day.  It was a ton of activities in those few days, but this was the first year the kids really did okay with it.  I made Syd nap once or twice in there, but overall, we were really pleased!

As if the week wasn't full enough, we have Millie's birthday in two days!!  Time to party...