July 4th Surprise

This has been a busy summer and I need to catch up on all that's been going on.
I'll probably have to do a few different posts.

 We love having our kids come home and its been over 2 years since our girls have been here. We were surprised on July 1st when Jared, Russ and I were in the front yard and Lindsey and her family came driving up the driveway honking!! I was SOOO excited! For me there's no better surprise! Jared had come home a few days before and Jacob and Janette flew in that night. (We missed Kristy's family) We got to spend a few days at the lake relaxing and having fun. It was so great to have all of them here & we appreciate so much them making the effort to come:)

Fishing with Papa

Tytyn

Shortcake with fresh Spooner strawberries:) They're local and so yummy!!

Lindsey, Halter, Tyrel & Jared

Janette & Jacob Canoeing

 Boating

Halter & Lindsey

 This picture cracks me up! Can you spot the "unhappy" face?

Hot Tubbing

 Tubing

 While we were in our Sunday best I grabbed some pictures. Unfortunately Russ was already gone to meetings. Cute Bingham family!

Jacob & Janette

Jared & me

 On July 4th we always have a big party. We had 50 people there this year. Everyone pitched in and helped with the food. One of our friends son brought this blow up water slide and it was really fun. He said they charge $500 to rent it for 5 hours so we felt pretty fortunate to have it. It was kind of a cold day so didn't get used as much as I thought. Lindsey, Janette and I were brave and went down it together.

Friends I've grown to love...Miriam, Jonette & Tracey

Getting ready for the boat parade and water fight. They filled up over 700 water balloons.

Our good friends brought their Sea doos for our family to ride before everyone else got there. They're really powerful and didn't want anyone getting hurt. The boys loved them...young & old:)

 My nephew Lee came down with his family from Fife and spent the day with us.

Getting ready to let off fireworks.

 I'm so grateful for this amazing country we live in!!

 Even though it has its share of problems, its still the greatest country there is to live in.

John Adams said,

"Now posterity, you will never know how much it cost us to preserve your freedom. I hope that you will make good of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."