July Fun, Part 1

We had a fun July. As the kids get older, the summers keep getting more fun!

We had a few pool play dates in July. Makinley and Aisnley and Caden and Mackenzie came over to our pool for the afternoon and the week before we spent time at their pool. The kids played, and the moms visited. It's nice to be able to  sit on the side of the pool now and let the kids play independently. 

The Newcombs also came over one morning to swim and have lunch with us. We had a fun morning with them. 

Samuel has been working hard at karate this summer. He's about to test for his yellow belt. I'm proud of him for his focus and attention to detail with all the new things he's learning. 

We had a free Saturday, and the kids asked to go to the Gathering Place. They always like to play in the water features. Samuel would spend ALL day there engineering and designing new things in the water. Too bad his little sister gets bored, and wants to play on the playground. 

We spent an evening with the Dalmans swimming and eating dinner at their new house. Nights spent with them are always the best!

In the middle of July, we headed to Weatherford for a few days. We always like to go to VBS at FBC Weatherford and spend the week visiting family and friends. We had a scheduling conflict this year though, so instead we came down for VBS at the Evetts' church in Corn. 

Granny always has yummy dessert!

On Tuesday we spent the day with the Evetts. The kids played in the morning, and after lunch we went to the Clinton swimming pool. 

We had the best time on the water slide. the lifeguards were lenient and let multiple kids slide down together. The kids went up and down that slide for hours. The moms did too!

Such a fun day!!

VBS was in the evenings, so we had the mornings to play at Granny and Grandaddy's. The kids always like playing on their huge driveway. We bring bikes and scooters, and the hover board, and they go to town. 

We had another fun day at Momoo's with the cousins. Nathan ate three pieces of cake that day, ha!

My kids absolutely loved Vacation Bible School. The theme was Mystery Island, and they are still singing all the songs. Our church's VBS was a little unconventional this year, and my kids enjoyed the classic VBS structure- music, crafts, missions, recreation, story time. They learning so many good truths and had the best time with their friends. Elisabeth even asked to do extra chores at Granny's house to raise money for the missions offering.

On Thursday night they had a family night and got to sing all the songs for the parents. So cute!

I wish we got to see the Evetts more often, but we certainly soaked up some quality time with them that week. 

Samuel and Elisabeth are continuing with gymnastics this summer, and have been learning some new skills. 

We had a quick afternoon play date with the Dalmans, because life got crazy for both of us. I'm glad we were able to see them again. The kids have been doing "best day ever" anytime they get together for years and years. It's a sweet memory!

Fourth of July 2021

We had a wonderful Fourth of July! It's one of my favorite days of the year, and it certainly did not disappoint this year. 

We had church on Sunday morning and it was fun to wear all our red, white, and blue to church. 

That afternoon, we got ready for our annual Fourth of July party. This is our fifth time hosting, and I'm looking forward to many, many more years. Our patriotic puff corn has become a tradition too. 

Matt bought me some pretty flowers on Saturday to have for the party. 

We had four families join us this year, and it was the best group. I'm so thankful for each of those families. 

The guys had a shooting competition before dinner. The ladies stayed inside chatting, so I have no idea how it went. 

Such sweet friendships among all these girls 

We lined up all the kids along the fence for our annual picture. We had 18 kids this year- 9 girls and 9 boys- perfection!

Matt grilled burgers and hot dogs. Our grill was full!

We took family pictures after the kids pictures. We're an All American family. 

Dinner was delicious and the company was even better. We had a dedicated adults table this year, and we all talked about how big our kids are getting and how much easier these parties are now that they're getting older. 

After dinner, the kids couldn't wait to get outside and start the fireworks. 

They started with pop its and smoke bombs. Katherine was so excited about buying smoke bombs this year. I couldn't believe she remembered them from last year. She talked all about the balls and the smoke that was colored. 

These ladies are treasures. I will never take their friendships for granted. Old and new friends doing life together and raising our children together. Such a gift. 

Daddy's Little Firecracker and the daddy whose wrapped around her finger. 

The kids took a break from the fireworks to wait until it got a little darker outside. They found plenty of things to play in our backyard. 

Tell me you have a lot of kids at your house without telling me you have a lot of kids at your house- ALLL the cups :)

Her face! They may be getting older, but the thrill of fireworks has not lost any luster for them. Their screams and cheers after every firework is one of the best sounds of the night. 

Second generation best friends :)

Yelena taught the kids a fun game that they played during a break from fireworks. Everyone was laughing at how fun it was. 

Brooke brought a delicious and festive cheesecake. We ate dessert and then got back to fireworks. 

Sweet Evelyn- we all enjoyed having a Little One at our celebration. 

Finger lights and glow sticks are the norm at our house on the Fourth of July. Clearly, Katherine was a fan. 

Michelle sent me this cute video of Katherine chasing Luke all around the yard trying to get him to play with her. We might all be hoping they end up getting married one day, ha!

Some of the kids got tired and vegged in front of the tv at the end of the night. 

There may be a lot of problems in our country, but I still believe the United States is the best place in the world to live. I don't know why God blessed us with the privilege of living and raising our family in this country, but I will always be grateful. I'm also grateful for a house full of friends who are like family, sticky floors, giggles and squeals and good conversations and maybe some fun fireworks too. 

Nathan woke up on the fifth and said, "Only 364 days until next Fourth of July." I feel the same, Buddy. I can't wait.