Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!  It's a great day for two reasons for us.  God Bless the U.S.A and we certainly feel free from the confines our of truck! :)  After three grueling days in our truck with 3 kids crammed in the backseat RIGHTnextTOeachOTHER, we finally made it to my parent's house.  The drive wasn't actually that bad, well sort of.  We stopped in Florida and I had the opportunity to drop by the Sheriff's office and see some of my old co-workers.  They had bought us some delicious cakes from the bakery and while we ate them, they told me hilarious tales about how they've missed me.  It's good to feel missed!  We stayed with one of Hubby's friends from his old squadron that night and he cooked the most AMAZING dinner for us.  The rest of the trip we ate at McDonald's because we just HAD to get all of the Pokemon toys that came in the Happy Meals.  The kids rarely slept during the trip, even Hiccup skipped her naps due to the distractions of her siblings on either side of her.  We were thrilled to finally escape the truck the evening of the third day.  

Hiccup riding her horse dog Macho

Weenie roast

The kids had a lot of fun playing outside on their old play set and cooking their own hot dogs outside during the weenie roast.  What would 4th of July be without fireworks?

Uncle J and Mr. R watching the fireworks

Uncle J helping Boo light some fireworks

Boo with her sparkler

My brother, Uncle J, had bought some fireworks and politely let the kids claim them once they discovered that he had them.  He helped the kids set them off.  Mostly he had bought the old classics like the tanks, snakes, poppers, and laying chickens.  The roman candles were solely for him to set off even though Mr. R begged to hold one.  The kids had a ton of fun burning off three days of energy before heading inside for bed and resting up for the next few weeks.