A little 4th fun...

Never would I have guessed when these guys were little munchkins, the fun and closeness that the Lord would give them in the gift of their cousins... Such a blessing and gift...

The cousins at the 4th of July parade all ready to grab their share of candy that is far too abundantly doled out :)
(Sorry for the so so photos taken with my cell:)

The teens attempting to stand on the "party tube":)

Wahoo!!!  They got it... but not for long:)  They had so much fun on that thing:)

What a gift to live close enough again to be able to share holiday fun at the cabin with all the extended family...

The trip was short for the kids and I while Greg stayed home to preach but we were still thankful to have the chance to...

• share special times with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents...
• get in a couple of runs with my sister and brother...
• Actually get some adult mom discussion while the Little's hit the sack, while pretty much everyone else went to the fireworks display... 
• share in the memories that the bigger kids make at the fireworks show as they literally, year after year, dodge the falling semi burning debris (no lie... last year it fell in a baby stroller directly behind them and started smoldering on a baby blanket, thankfully the mom just had picked up the baby...) This is one intense fireworks show... hence the reason I don't really mind staying home with the little ones:)
• hours of fun for the little guys playing in the sand down by the lake...
•  tubing for hours on Fence Lake...
• witness 2 bald eagles coming from 2 different directions right at the same time and landing in the tree right above the pier... so majectic and beautiful... what a display of God's glory and beautiful creation!

Thankful for parents who are gracious in sharing their home away from home with all of us and so very thankful that we are able to have the time to get away for a short time to enjoy the beauty of the northwoods:)