4th of July Weekend

We had a fun and busy 4th of July weekend.  Mike's family came up the evening of Saturday July 2nd.  We ate dinner at the usual place (JCW's) and then came over to our house to hang out and let the kids play.  The kids had a great time, and it was fun for the adults to chat.  That night, Helene and Andrew and the kids (minus Daniel) stayed the night.  They didn't want to head home, and we had the space.  The kids were so excited to have their cousins crash.  The kids also had fun watching the Morgan's do their fireworks.

The next day, everyone headed to church with us.  With everyone there we should have just blessed Ethan, but I wasn't in the mood to do it that weekend, and there were three other babies being blessed that Sunday.  It was my first full Sunday back to church, and I was teaching.  Megan decided to come to class with me, it was fun to have her there.

That night we went to Kari's house for dinner.  Again, the kids played hard, and the adults chatted.  The food was great (thanks Kari and mom & dad).  The night ended with fireworks (thanks Court), they even had a few aerial fireworks - they were awesome.  It took awhile for Elina to enjoy the fireworks, the noise made her nervous.

Helene, Hailey, Grandma, Ethan and Neena

Elina enjoying sitting Cecily's bike (love the helmet)

Megan and Emma sporting their glow bracelets

Brynn, Dori, Ashton and Gavin playing with their bracelets and awaiting fireworks

Fireworks

Elina so happy

Monday brought the family party (Mike's mom, and her brother and sisters and their families).  This year all of us ditched the parade (we used to go every year).  Mike opted to ride his bike that morning instead.  The family party was fun.  It is good to see the extended family once a year.  The family is getting so big, it is hard to do it.

Most of the family

That night we let off our own fireworks.  I'm surprised at how much they love them.  

I'm so glad we were able to spend the fourth with family.  I'm so grateful for this great country we live in.