Fourth of July Fun

I Love the 4th of July!
We had so much fun yesterday! Growing up the 4th of July weekend was always packed with canoe trips, days spent skiing/tubing on the lake and awesome food and fireworks. So I've developed pretty high expectations for this holiday.
I wasn't disappointed this year either.
We woke up and watched a movie with Tanner yesterday (He is soo into "Toy Story" right now) then we packed a picnic lunch and headed over to Blanchard Springs. It was beauitful weather and the drive was gorgeous. When we got there it was about 11:45 am so we ate our lunch and then jumped into the river.
Tanner mostly liked sitting on the shore and throwing rocks into the river, but he floated with us a little bit. I can't even tell you how nice it felt to float on my stomach. Incredible!
Anyways.. Here are "few" pictures from our Blanchard Springs trip.
Running into the water

Little Stinker

Tanner and Mom

He loved my floatie. Little thief- everytime I would go to get on it- he'd come over and say "Peeaze" and want on. And I can't say no to him when he says please..

chillin' in the chair getting ready for a snack.

About 2:00 pm it started to get a little crowded at the swimming area so we decided to head home. We drove to our house first and picked up some dry clothes and fireworks then headed to my parents house.
Then we filled up the kiddie pool for Clark and Tanner to play in. I also hooked up Tanner's "hopscotch sprinkler" Tanner had a blast- he loved running back and forth between the pool and the sprinkler. Clark took a little longer to adjust.
Tanner also mastered his squirt gun and had a great time shooting water at everyone around him.
Seriously- look at this kid


Seriously- squirting everyone- not even Clark was safe

Tanner and Uncle David

Clark watching Tanner run on the hopscotch- he had to see how it was done.

trying to get a drink from the sprinkler

Eventually we got Clark in the pool, although he never warmed up to the sprinkler.

After a while Papa came out and set out a HUGE slip-n-slide. He used some painter's plastic and we covered it with water and soap. It was so awesome. I didn't get to play on it- for obivious reason- but I got some pretty good pictures of the action.
Uncle David catching some air

Papa and Uncle David showing the little boys "how its done"

Tanner on the slip-n-slide
Ready, Set, GO!
Going, Going- Gone!

"That was AWESOME"

"Come on Papa, lets do it again"

Even Clark gave it a try...


After everyone was thoroughly exhausted from the slip-n-slide we ate dinner on the back porch. It was such a beautiful evening. We ate ribs, cinnamon baked apples, green beans and potatoes and garlic bread. SOO GOOD.
Tanner really enjoyed it.

After cleaning up- it was time for fireworks. There aren't a whole lot of fireworks that Tanner is old enough for yet...but he got to do lots of sparklers


Here's Tanner throwing the snappers on the ground so they would pop

and here is Tanner trying to figure out how they work..

He even did a Roman Candle- with help from Uncle David.

Then we just watched our neighbors- everyone had their own show going on- so there were fireworks going off left and right.
Tanner and I watching the fireworks

Tanner and Dad watching the fireworks

Tanner really liked the fireworks this time- he kept saying- "Whoa" over and over. It was adorable.
Tanner clapping for the fireworks

Squatting down to watch the fireworks..

My little family- getting ready to grow in about 5 1/2 weeks...


Then we ate cake and played dominoes- all-in-all, an awesome 4th of July.
I'm so grateful to live in this country and enjoy the freedoms we take advantage of everyday. God Bless America!