Independence Day

Well it' about time I posted these pictures. The 4th of July seems like such a long time ago. It's crazy how fast this summer is going. Anyway, We were still visiting my sister and her family for the 4th. We had just got back from our camping trip and and were a bit warn out. So we didn't want to go all out. Just some place to go to watch fireworks and then maybe a few of our own on their driveway. But really, it turned out perfect. I think if we had packed anymore into our night it would have ruined it.

We found a perfect location. It was in a town that I had never heard of before but it wasn't to far away. We traveled down there, found a parking lot, got out and waited by the car to watch. Brad and Natalie let the kids climb onto there Suburban, which, as you can imagine, was a BIG deal to the kids. Brigham was the only one not allowed up there but as you can see, he was content with daddy.

This is the part of the night that was a bit scary. All the children wanted to help Don and Brad with the fireworks. And most of them didn't get to.

Layton got to!

And Cally got to. But that was it. And you can see that some of the kids were disappointed. Honestly, can't they just be happy with what the got!?! Wow I just had a flashback to my parents saying that to me. I couldn't have been as selfish as my kids were acting could I have been???? DON'T ANSWER THAT MOM!!!!

I put this picture in because it shows how many children we have together. We definitely are a crowd. Brigham was the only one not in there. And look how big they are getting!

Well, that was the end of our trip. We left the next morning. It was great though. And I miss my sister terribly all ready. Next time it's their turn to come visit us. Hopefully before school starts. So what do you say Natalie?

CAMPING?! ME?! Who would have thought!

I'm sorry about all the pictures. This is for my sister as well. So a picture gallery is what has to happen I guess!

FINDING FIREWOOD!

NIGHT TIME MAGIC!

MORNING DIP!

If you know me, you know that I am not that fond of the camping thing. Unless it involves a trailer/ camper of some sort with a mattress and a bathroom. Tents? Not my thing. Bugs? Hate them! Toilets dug out of the ground by my 9 yr old? NO THANK YOU!!! So against my better judgment, I agreed to a camp out with my sisters family. Not wanting to look like the wuss. Aside from the things I hate most, I have got to say I was pleasantly surprised. It was actually a lot of fun. Lots of work but also a lot of down time to just relax as well. My sister and her family have a boat that we take out on the lake every time we visit. We always go around and in between islands with campers doing their thing and we thought it was our turn for the adventure. It's a lot of prep work to get everybody out there with tents and food and blankets, pillows, life jackets ect, ect. It's a wonder we got it all done to enjoy ourselves. The night was the best part for me. kids asleep, us next to the fire enjoying each other. Romantic in a way. The kids had fun swimming and looking for fire wood. They all became campfire experts. It was hard to keep it safe some times. The highlight for them was the s'mores though, I'm sure. In the morning after the Daddy's woke up, it was tubing time. Everybody took turns in the tube that was pulled by the boat. Lot's of fun. I.m glad it was for just one night though. Sleeping on the sand is ruff on the hips and back. Nobody got a lot of sleep but it was worth it. Great fun!!!!!!!

I didn't get pictures of some of our highlights like the tubing and the s'mores. I was afraid to take my camera out on the boat and I was to busy with s'more building to stop for pictures. Sad I know but I got some great photos.