4th of July Fun

Hello Blog world!!! Have you missed me???? I took some time away from the blog because we have been gone on family vacation. (a much needed vacation ) I will share pictures and all the details (including a trip to the ER) very soon.

We returned from vacation just in time to celebrate the 4th. We normally do not do much for the 4th (just a small cookout, swimming, a few fireworks) usually a lot smaller scale than we did this year. BUT this year I wanted to do a little more. WHY??? Because this is our LAST holiday together until Thanksgiving 2011! Yes, 2011! Thanks to deployment #3, we are going to miss a lot of holidays between now and Thanksgiving 2011 and I really wanted to make it special. Normally, I would have loved to hang out with friends and have a big get together, but I really just wanted to keep it small and intimate so we just had family over. It was perfect. The food was outstanding. The company was wonderful. And the fireworks were a hit.

Below are some pictures of our 4th:


Jack and Madi on the 4th


Jack


Madi


We cooked up a BIG spread of food to celebrate. Jason smoked 2 boston butts and grilled brats and hot dogs. Then we had cole slaw, potato salad, baked beans, sauteed onions, watermelon, and a cake.


Jason, the kids, and my wonderful in-laws


Jackson with his sparkler


Granna and Madi with their sparkler


Jason, Zach and Jackson lighting some fireworks (no worries, it was completely safe and no one was hurt) (=


J and Madi lighting a firework (again, no worries, completely safe) (=


Madi sitting on Pops shoulders, ready for the show


Giving Pops a kiss


On the 5th, we went to my dad's for a cook-out and to swim. Below are some pictures.

Zachary, Jack, Madi, Lilly and Chase


My aunt, having way too much fun ;)


Jason doing tricks off the board.


My brother Kevin


My dad doing a trick...wonder if your hurting today dad???


The kids doing a big group jump.

Hope that everyone had a safe and happy 4th and took time to remember what we are celebrating =)