4th of July 2011

We always head west for the 4th of July to my aunt and uncles lake house at Harlan County Lake in Nebraska. This year was no different minus not stopping in Phillipsburg at all, kinda sad! But the 4th of July is almost hands down my favorite holiday and mostly due to this tradition we've had for so long. We've definitely multiplied in family members over the years, but that just makes it more fun!!!!!

The first night we got in reallllllly late and were the only ones at the lake from our family the next morning, so we headed out to the water for fun! Kaden even wanted to drive!

Later that afternoon my cousins arrived with their little ones and my mom, aunt and other cousins children showed up at the house, so we had lots more fun. Everyone showed up that night and food family, and fun is about all you need!




We went out on the water after breakfast everyday and just hung out at the beach, tubed (Kaden's first time=loves it!), slalom, wake board, jetskiied and just ride around. The BEST times ever! We even had some napping on the boat and beach from little ones! :)

Kaden had been asking Brett to go fishing for the longest time too, so one afternoon they headed down to the dock with Uncle Robert to cast a line. They were there for a while before we headed down and shortly after, Kaden caught his FIRST fish!!! He was pumped!!!

Other afternoon activities include: Slip and slide, pool, bubbles, wagon rides, washers, bikes, trikes, 1980 something motorcycle(the BEST thing ever and still kickin!) (that was Brooks favorite this year), golf cart rides (EVERYONE at the lake has a golf cart to ride around in, to and from places, the docks, etc and the kids are obssessed with it...it is fun to drive around though:)

For the past 4 or 5 years we play an annual softball game with some of my families long time friends that are at the lake too. We've played even when Granny and Grandad were alive and they loved watching!!! Fun rules for the boys (bat opposite hand), and kids are captains to pick the teams. (we have even picked up some side players of the kids around the park watching us!)

Since the 4th of July was on Monday, we actually celebrated a little Sunday night with some neighbors fire crackers, sparklers and black cats! The kids had fun and on our way home Monday night in the car we saw a few "real" fireworks!

We did miss Brett, Amber, and Jaris this year due to Brett's knee and Jaris being so little, but they hope to join back up next year!
We had an awesome time once again with my mom's side of the family!
LOVE 4th of July!