July 4th, Fireworks and S'mores

We drove home from Cedar Rapids on Monday, July 4th.  We were going to see fireworks while we were in Iowa, but that didn't happen, so we talked about going into town to see them once we got home.  We decided against that since everyone was pooped, and we didn't feel like battling traffic and keeping the kids up until midnight as we made our way back home after the fireworks. So, instead we stopped at a fireworks stand on the way home and bought some big fireworks that Cory could shoot off.  We got home, unpacked the car, and got a fire going. 

While we were waiting for the fire to get hot so we could roast hot dogs and make s'mores, the kids watched some "snakes".

Julia also helped Dad pick out some bottle rockets.

When the fire was ready, we cooked our hot dogs s'mores (21. on the "Summer Fun" list). 

After that we carefully lit, and closely supervised, the kids with sparklers.

While Cory got everything set up to shoot off the "big" fireworks, I took the kids in and got them into their pj's.  When everyone was ready we came out and set on the deck by the lake while Dad shot off the fireworks across the lake on the dam. Thanks to Dad, we were able to cross Number 8. Fireworks Show off our Summer Fun list.