The fourth

And we were off...  the kids and I to celebrate the fourth of July with all the extended family on my side... 

Dad planned on joining us in a few days:)

We had the strangest weather on the drive up... a huge storm that we nearly skirted... blinding sun, 5 rainbows, 2 double rainbows... loads of rain... It was down right bizarre... but thankfully we arrived safe and sound in the north woods.

Morning one... Paul Bunyans for their amazing to die for donuts with grandma, grandpa, cousins and family from St. Louis!  Seriously, the best!!!

All the teens hammocking by the water's edge... so beautiful!

It is always a tradition to watch the local waterski show... The minocquabats!  What a fun night!

Some of the teens on the fourth :)  It is the best when your cousins can also be your best friends!  I am so thankful that they have so much fun together!

The Neumann crew!  We were only short one niece on the fourth of July... What a blessing to have almost everyone together for the day... It is a rarity, but such a treat!

Dad and I with the little boys down by the lake!  These two played in the sand all weekend, loved the kayaks, and enjoyed lots of cousin time!

Uncle Josh and Aunt Lyndsey brought up the BIG JOE!  It was the perfect addition... it was almost like having extra pier to hang out on... The wrestling matches that went on while playing on this were hysterical! Everyone loved relaxing on the BIG JOE!

Aunt Katy hanging out with Kaliyah... She was all passed out from lots of fresh air:)

The fourth of July always ends with a pow wow and  the fireworks show in the local town close by... And literally it is like you are a part of the show... The embers literally are falling right on the crowd... It is the craziest thing... 

We had a beautiful weekend! I think it is one of the kids favorite places on earth... On the way home Levi kept saying he wished the cabin was his home... It is beautiful, relaxing, and the perfect place to spend time together with family... Gift from God!

Cousin party!!

We just had 

5 days of munchkin loving... 

Piggy back riding... 

Trampoline jumping...

Extra refereeing...

Creek exploring...

Slumber partying...

When the cousins were in town...

This is what 13 kids look like crammed around our dinner table...

Speaking of dinner, my sister -in- law blessed us with ready to cook meals for every night...

I call that a vacation from the kitchen...

Not really with 13 kids in the house😂

But it was a huge blessing...😊😊

It was great having some cousin time:) 

Jojo loved having a slew full of little guys to play with...

After the first day,  Levi wanted to marry emmry...

And auntie and uncle didn't get mad when Isaiah dumped a WHOLE big box of rice krispies in their car...

I call that a success!!!

Welcome Spring... Well maybe not:)

The cousin crew at the Above Rubies land... 

My niece Ella is volunteering at this ministry and since we have never seen Nashville we thought we would head down to TN, visit her, my cousin, and take in the beautiful city of Franklin...

It doesn't take long and the fun starts happening... like immediately!  Family is a gift and these kids are getting their fill of cousin time these last few weeks:)

Jojo, loved the land where Ella is staying... I think he told me at least 5 times that He loved the country and said it was his favorite place!  I love my little Jojo's  heart for the outdoors:)

Selfies in downtown Nashville!

We were so thankful to be able to stay in Franklin with my cousin Cathy and family!

Franklin... such an incredibly charming city... I have always thought this part of the country was beautiful with it's rolling hills and horse farms .

They were so incredibly hospitable!  We had loads of laughs while playing games, enjoyed catching up over walks through the woods, and loved seeing our kids get to know each other better... 

The kids with their second cousins:)

And...

This is what we woke up to following morning after we arrived home...

Praise God we had clear roads traveling all the way home... 

I would say that we got about 6 inches of new fresh snow... It is beautiful, but thankfully it is melting...

This family is officially ready for Spring:)