Happy Fourth of July!

Whew!  What a weekend! 

It all started with a great campout with our ward (church) on Friday night.  Taryn, Avery and I went home to sleep, but Braden and Keara stayed overnight.  I think Keara loved it!  T, A, and I went back in the morning for potato launching, rocket launching, and a little more fun before heading home for some much needed naps.

After naps, we headed out for some festivities.  We first put our blanket down for the fireworks and then stopped by Subway to get a sandwich for dinner.  The line was VERY long and with three (really four) VERY tired girls in the car, it was all I could do to keep them entertained for the eternity that Braden was in the store.  So first, we changed into swimsuits and got rebuckled in.  Then I had them try to lick their elbows.  Definite entertainment there...

Avery wondered what in the world was wrong with her mom and sisters...

And then Keara delighted us with silly faces.

Finally, daddy came back to the car and we headed to the lake for swimming.  I love this particular lake and beach.  The water is always comfortable and the girls LOVE it. 

We stayed until about 8 or so and then headed to the other lake for the fireworks (hey, in a land of 10,000 lakes, everything is bound to take place at a lake).  We got a great little spot right across from where they were shooting them off so we got plenty of heart-stopping action.  It was really fun!  Shaun and Susan and co. joined us for the pyrotechnics, and even brought a family tradition: oreos.  We all love spending time with them!

Taryn is a ham...And don't mind the red in the middle of our family picture.  I think someone's finger was over the flash...