Fourth of July Weekend 2013

We had a very fun weekend!  Lots going on, but spread out enough, so not too crazy busy.

The fun started on Thursday morning with a Fourth of July neighborhood parade... the kids had fun!  Rachel and Eli rode their bikes and Kate and Nate got to watch with us.

We spent the afternoon at a friends' lake home.  Just a perfect day to be out there!!

We went to the park to watch the fireworks that night.  My mom joined us, which has become tradition.  This year all of our kids came along.  They did good.  As Mike said, "we survived."  Kate and Nate did get antsy, but overall it was good.  Nate wasn't afraid of the fireworks at all... he just wanted out of the stroller, which was not going to happen with it so dark.  And, Kate was a little afraid for awhile, but just asked that I pull the shade on the stroller and she was pretty good.  Was just nice to have us all there.

The kids also spent a lot of time in the yard swimming and playing in the pools this weekend!

Then Friday was the Brewer game with the Zimmerman family.  Again, perfect day!!!  We "tailgated" with peanut butter sandwiches and chips before the game.  Didn't want to have to worry about a hot grill with Kate and Olivia around.  A great time!  We made it until the end of the game, which was about 10:40pm.  Unfortunately, they lost, but it was still fun.  So happy we decided to leave Nate at home.  Thanks, mom and dad, for watching him. : )

Mike took the kids fishing on Saturday for a few hours.  They caught a ton of fish and about 14 keepers.  While they were gone Kate and Nate did more swimming outside.  Even got Nate to run through the sprinkler!  Best part of the video is around the 2 minute point... Nate had enough of the sprinkler. : )

Today, Mike, his dad and Eli went out fishing again.  They kept over 20 fish... fun!

[leaving...]

[and, home.  I told Eli to remind Mike to take pictures when they're on the boat. :)]

While they were fishing Rachel and I made a trundle day bed for her doll.  Also made some pillows, blankets and thin mattresses.  We had a lot of fun!  I just finished some more blankets and pillows.  They keep asking for more and I am having fun making them. :)

The World Jump Rope competition in Florida has also been on the last few days.  They are live streaming it online, so we've had it on most of the time.  I love watching the kids compete... it's so much fun!  We were even able to catch some Cardinal Skippers today... great job girls!! : )

Whew... I think that's it.  So much fun stuff!

Keep smiling!