July 4th Celebration

We were joined by Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Paul and Uncle Jeff to celebrate July 4th.  We started with a tasty barbeque, and then the kids had a lot of fun throwing poppers, watching lots of smoke bombs, snakes, and many other bright and noisy fireworks. 

Our two big dogs throw a fit when we shoot off fireworks.  Odin would love to try and eat that smoke bomb!

Getting a little help from Dad.

"How do you like my headband, Julia?"

Afterward, we went inside and had some yummy flag cake before heading back out after dark to watch Cory and Uncle Jeff shoot off the BIG fireworks.  It was quite a show!

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.

July 4th Weekend

This year we went to my parent's house for July 4th.  Cory and I were able to sneak away and see a movie in the afternoon while Mom and Dad watched the kids.  After the movie we went back to their house, grilled some burgers, brats, and hot dogs, and then shot off some small fireworks with the kids.

They always like the snappers.

The smoke bombs are always a hit.

They also like watching the "snakes" grow into little piles of "poo".

Julia was a little unsure about the whole thing, and spent most of her time hanging back with Grandma and Grandpa.

There were a few loud sparkly ones that neither of the girls wanted to get too close to.

The kids had fun with the little fireworks, and later on, after the girls were in bed, Cory, Grant and I went to watch the city of O'Fallon fireworks.  We walked around the festival and looked at the rides. Grant was a little disappointed that the lines were too long to ride any.  Grant did get to play one of the carnival games.  He didn't win, but he was a very close second.  We bought him a light saber to replace his broken ones, and then we settled down and listened to a band play until the fireworks started.  It was a good display, but we all wished it would have lasted a little longer.  I think Grant felt like he waited forever for them to start, and then they were over before he had even figured out the most comfortable position to watch them. 

We spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Hedberg's house, and on the way home we got a call from our alarm company saying that our house alarm had been set off.  Oops! The neighbors set it off when they came to let Mia out.  We told the alarm company to call off the cops, and we when got home the neighbor was still there, scared out of her wits.  We know the alarm system works, and she can verify that it is LOUD!  The rest of the day was pretty uneventful as we tried to keep cool in the Missouri summer heat and humidity.