We had so much fun this 4th! (As always!!) This year we started at Christine's house on the afternoon of the 4th. We had a lot of fun playing backyard games of volleyball and water balloon dodge-ball. And enjoyed a fabulous spread of traditional Independence Day foods. Hannah was not able to be with us, and she sure was missed!
After we left Christine's house we went home for a short while. Then left again, this time to go see fireworks!! We went to Massillon's Great Escape movie theater parking lot to meet Nate & Sonia and their kids and Sarah & Matt. Nate had his kids piled up on his van, and of coarse, my kids wanted to join them! They all had so much fun!! They were clapping and squealing nonstop with excitement! It was hard to get a picture with all of them in it, they were moving so much! It was so fun to watch their excitement! I love seeing them happy! After the fireworks were over we hung out for a little bit to let the crowd disperse. While we waited the kids enjoyed some candy and sparklers while they watched their uncles set off smoke bombs! (Thanks guys!!)
Craig was working at the PD, so we were missing Hannah and Craig!

*Craig said Spencer looks like a girl because he has a jacket with a hood on. just in case you wondered who the homely looking girl was!* (above picture)

-I acknowledge that I am blessed to have such a wonderful family that is so close, in every sense of the word! We all love each other so much, and are the best of friends. We are able to all get together at least once a month. I know that someday that will change, but for now it is awesome!-


Then, the next day we met Sarah, Mark and Anna and Rachel and John for fireworks at Tuscora park in New Philadelphia. (A long-time family tradition I am happy to see still going on!)

We had a lot of fun! Aunt Sarah blew her money on the kids, getting face paintings, jewelry and characters for the kids. Thanks Aunt Sarah!!!
Uncle Mark and Aunt Anna brought glow-stick necklaces and bracelets for the kids. They loved them!! (Lauren thought she would sneak in a bite while Mommy was taking the picture!)
Thanks Uncle Mark and Aunt Anna!
Aunt Rachel and Uncle John saved us a spot, brought all the blankets and even brought a bunch of snacks!! Yummy, Thanks guys!!

The Fireworks were amazing, as usual for Tuscora Park! Their show is always really good and always lasts 30 minutes. Craig was working again at the PD, so we missed him again! (Maybe next year!)

Okay, there you go... our fourth in a nutshell.

One day this week I had four bored children stuck in the house, because of a summer rain. I went upstairs to grab a large piece of silky butterfly fabric I had in my stash. I thought we could play the parachute game with it. (Two people lift it up while others run under it...) They got a kick out of that game, and played it for awhile. Once we were done with that game I tied the fabric around a step, making a hammock. They had so much fun they wanted me to make another one, so I just used an old twin bed sheet! They all had a blast!
The hammocks are still hanging, I'll give it a week or so, or until they stop using them!
They swing, they spin, they just hang and watch movies! It has been fun to watch! :)

Okay, so there I was, in the house just hanging out with the children, when I spot Craig awkwardly trotting through the yard. When I go to the window to get a better look at him I see that he is suited up in his skis! A blend of emotions rushed me. I thought it was funny, I laughed so hard I could barely breathe. Then I felt embarrassed when I realized how ridiculous he looked in our FRONT yard. I told Craig that our neighbors just might think it odd to see him ski down a pile of snow. Then, after he moved his adventures to the back yard, I felt some fear as I watched him try to ski down our swing-set slide. (Mind you, this took several attempts. He had a very hard time getting both skis in position.) He did eventually get mounted on top of the slide, only to take a spill at the bottom! :) Oh man, I laughed so hard that day! I am not even able to write this post without laughing! He sure does miss Utah!

He told me that going down the slide is just like going to any ski resort Ohio has to offer.




I'm sure he was specially made in heaven, just for me!
Sorry ladies, this one is all mine! :)

If only his skiing buddies could see him now!

Are you proud of him Nick?

Look to the right side for another picture example of Craig missing Utah!