Fireworks & More 4th of July FUN!

Clayleen holding her nephews (Cache & Suzanne's boys) Ryan & Logan

 Ben lighting the smoke bombs all by himself.

Brienna bought all of our fireworks this year--and she did a great job!

Grandma even had to go and light a few smoke bombs! 

 Ben having a blast in the pool out back.

 It was a great day--many memories made!

 Grandma helping Emmalee light her smoke bomb.

It was so loud that Emmalee was trying to block out the noise (didn't work too well) 

 Callum trying to blow up some army men.

But they are some tough dudes!  Hardly even hurt them--after numerous attempts!

More smoke bomb fun! 

 They lit a "frog" fireworks & started the weeds against the white fence on fire.  Rusty was quick & used the birdbath water to put it out.

(You can see the burned spot in the picture of Ben lighting the smoke bomb by himself)

  So we moved out front where it was a bit "safer" (and greener).  We always move out front for the bigger fireworks in the evening.

 Ben playing the lawn games.

My girls playing the lawn game (Brienna & Emmalee)

 Ethan's string of firecrakers.  I have a video of Zane's 1,000 firecrackers!  It was fun :)

It was a great 4th of July--peaceful, fun, memory-making, hot, tiring, patriotic, and exciting!

Annual 4th of July Water Fight (Carters vs. Pitts)

 Every year after the parade & our family BBQ's, we have a water fight with the Pitt family.

 It's a great way to cool down, and have a ton of fun!

 I'm not sure who has the most fun--the "older" adults, the "middle" adults, the "young" adults, the teenagers, or the younger ones.

 Orley always has a handy-dandy squirt bottle--even though he has buckets of water dumped on him!

 We've missed Ethan for the last couple of years!

 Cache & his son Ryan

 Amber (Owen's wife) helping Ryan get Ethan

 Ethan sneaking up on Cameron (Owen & Amber's son)

 Owen getting Brienna, & Brienna getting Orley.  Great action shot!

 Looks like everyone gaining up on Orley! 

 In the end, all the participants of the water fight were soaked, cooled down and happy.

 It was fun watching the younger ones "get" the adults.

 Spray bottle vs. bucket!

 Drying off in the sun!  (Benjamin)

The die-hard teen-aged boys.  Zachary (Clayleen's son) & Zane!

BBQ & Water Fight observers

 Grandpa grilling hamburgers & hot dogs

 Emmalee & Ben enjoying the food!

 nothing better than food on the 4th of July

 Family fun!

 Probably one of the last years that Ben will get to sit in the old high chair!

Rusty soaking his feet while Zane shoots off some firecrackers.

 Some of the observers of the water fight (Rusty & Laurie)

Laurie wanting a hug from Ben!

 Cache ran up with this bucket full of balloons--to get Grandma (even though she was in the "safe" zone)!  And then he dumped the whole bucket over her head!

Almost gave her a heart attack!  Luckily they were only air-filled balloons.  Good one Cache!

4th of July in Lander--Parade & Preparing for the Waterfight

 The morning started out with my dad, mom & Laurie saving our seats starting before 6 am!

 It was a bit over-cast for some of the parade...

but when the sun came out--it was hot! 

so glad Rusty was able to make it this year! 

 

 Grandma got free sunglasses for Emmalee & Ben

Ben & Emmalee anxiously waiting for the candy... 

 and otter pops!

 after the parade, we started filling water balloons--Laurie, Brienna, Emmalee & Ben in the front yard.

And me, Rusty, Callum, Ethan & Tiffany in the back yard. 

I think we had 300-400 water balloons! 

 All that work (at least 1-2 hours) for about 5 minutes of fun!

Emmalee & Ben helped too!

The beginning of our Trip

Traveled to Lander, WY today.  Pamela took Brienna, Zane & Callum on Tuesday, so I've had 2 days with just Emmalee & Ben (& Rusty after work).

It took, me 3 hours on Wednesday morning to pack just my stuff.  Then took the Emmalee & Ben to town for last-minute shopping.

Thankfully I didn't feel too stressed/frazzled at trying to rush Thursday morning to get all the last-minute & things the other kids forgot together.  But it took longer than expected (like most things do) so we got a little bit later start than expected.  

Finally got everything loaded up into the 2 vehicles.  Rusty drove the Jeep & I took the car w/the 2 little ones to Rexburg (left after noon).

Ethan & Tiffany actually had to wait for us (we did stop to gas up--like the hundreds of other travelers leaving for the 4th--& get motion-sickness wrist-bands at Walgreens) but finally left Rexburg about 2:15.

Stopped at the Tetons--first time for Tiffany to go to Jackson & by the Wyoming side of the Tetons.  Amazingly, the kids behaved superbly & we had a great trip.  It rained on & off most of the way--it was the perfect travel-day:  mostly cloudy, rain, cool & beautiful scenery.  We saw buffalo, elk, deer, antelope, bald eagle, great blue heron, & swans.   

I drove the whole way so Rusty could stretch he legs & move around more. It was a very pleasant trip.  We didn't make it to Lander until almost 8, but it was a non-stressful day for me (which doesn't usually happen when getting ready for a trip)

Rusty set up a tent outside (the "coolest" way to sleep while in Lander) & Ben is sleeping with him.  Ethan & Tiffany are also trying out their new tent & air mattress tonight.  WE'll see how it worked for them in the morning.

And miraculously, I have a bed all to myself!  And I've taken waaayyy too long editing pictures & updating my blog, so I need to get to sleep.  It's already the 4th!  So happy Indepence Day!