Fourth of July 2011

Sun, swimming, s'mores, and sparklers - we couldn't have asked for a more wonderful celebration of the fourth! The kids had a blast swimming at the pool of some family friends - they all made amazing strides in water comfort. (Just in time for swimming lessons!). Then we came home to grill hot dogs, eat fresh watermelon grown by friends from church, and roast marshmellows for s'mores. After washing away the stickiness, we burned a few sparklers and watched our neighbors light some fireworks before the "big event". Ripon has been without a fireworks show for the last few years because of budget constraints, this year a fund raising committe worked to get donations for a community show. IT WAS AMAZING! I was so impressed -- and I was almost equally delighted that we could watch it from the end of our street so we didn't have to battle any crowds!

Andrew enjoying the water: Kat liked the "little pool" (it wasn't heated so it felt just like the big pool only more Kat-friendly) until the end of the day when I couldn't get her out of the other pool.

Anika hanging out at the deep end without any floation help! She is doing GREAT!

Kathryn could "do it myself!"

Watermelon!

S'mores!

How do you eat a s'more when your front teeth are missing? Well, it gets really messy!

Our neighbors were kind enough to share their "show" with us!

Our kids trying out sparklers - they just aren't like I remember:-(

Waiting for the show:

Kat doesn't like loud noises:

A GREAT SHOW! (I thought it ironic that this firework looks like it is coming out of the fireworks booth!)