4th of July

4th of July weekend is always an adventure.  Let's start with Wednesday!

Our old house in West Des Moines is right on the parade route.  So this year I thought it would be fun to end to the old neighborhood.  What I didn't realize is everyone else in the Des Moines metro area thought it was the place to be too!  Grandma Pat and Papa were watching Charlie and Tyson that week, so I said come watch the parade with us.  It was Wednesday night and it was a perfect night out.  The boys caught LOTS of candy and loved waving at everyone. 

Kellan and Papa enjoying the parade

Thursday, July 4th, we loaded the car up and headed to Kansas to get together with all the Lundstroms.  As soon as we got there, Braydon and I headed out to go for a boat ride with Uncle Joel and the Denver Lundstroms.  as we were putting swim stuff on, I mentioned we needed to get some towels.  Braydon assured me that he did not need a towel because he was staying on the boat.  So I took one for him anyways.  Surprise, surprise...he loved it!  He went tubing with me and Aunt Jenn and even went swimming in the lake.  Aunt Jenn brought her camera...so I will have to get some from her.  I forgot mine. 

After boating we headed back to Joel and Kristens for some dinner and hanging out time. 

Kellan, Braydon and Papa relaxing

Ava and Kellan dancing

Then we headed to Wamego to watch some fireworks.  They weren't scheduled to start until 10pm, but we thought...why not keep all the kids up past their bedtime.  Wamego is a small town with a huge fireworks display.  As we drove into town, you could definitely tell everyone in Kansas knew how good they were because there was no place to park!  We ended up in a parking lot of a tractor dealership and it actually worked out great. 

Grandma Pat with the boys watching the fireworks

loving the fireworks!

Kellan and Dad

Charlie and me!

The fireworks were 30 minutes long and the best fireworks show any of us have ever seen!  They were awesome.  Well worth letting the kids stay up.

Friday

first up...some cousin time.

Don't worry Lila...they are good guys!

Of course there was some pool time and water gun fights!

working on Lila's change up!

Kellan had to stop and do some work on the computer

Lila's birthday is July 8 and we thought what a great time to celebrate her first birthday with all of her cousins.  We all sang happy birthday in anticipation for her to cover herself in her own little birthday cake.  Little did we know, Lila doesn't like pink frosting...no worries the rest of us took care of eating her delicious cake!

Happy first birthday Lila!

After the party we had plans to get an entire family picture...something we haven't done since Jenn & Andy's wedding.  So we got all the kids all dressed up and I think we got a good shot.   After that, water balloons and more pool time!

TJ on the slide

Charlie with the big splash

Braydon loved the slide!

Most of the boys got out of their nice clothes and into their swim gear...Kellan couldn't wait to change his clothes.

before

after...what?  I am not supposed to swim in a white polo and khakis!

Every kid needs to try out a sparkler.  So we got all the kids lined up and I explained all the rules.  One at a time, don't touch the fire, be really careful, etc.  It was a success!

Note to self, one injury, I forgot to tell them it is still hot when the fire is out and Braydon grabbed it.

Saturday

We thought, why not take all these kids fishing!  There were not many fish caught, but there were a few rocks thrown and no kid ended up in the water!

The boys fishing with Dad

Mostly we threw rocks!

Jenn and Lila found a little more relaxing activity

more rocks

Ended the fishing adventure with some goldfish and sprite

What a fun weekend.  It is always an adventure to get us all together...but it is an awesome thing to get to play with your cousins.  Thanks for hosting us Joel and Kristen.  We always have fun, eat well and of course drink well!  We really appreciate your hospitality and letting us destroy your house.