Our Fun Fourth!

We hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration... let me tell you about ours!

Mark started the day with a couple of hours of racquetball (of course!), then we headed out to Camp Harlow, which is a summer camp owned by our church. They have an annual event out there with miniature golf, swimming pool, zip line, bumper boats, horses, and more... including a live marching band and free BBQ lunch. It's a Walter family tradition - and this year we included our neighbors. Aaron had to work, but Lisa brought the kids and we had a great time.





*Andrew & Colin eat; Daddy & Andrew brave the fast slide; Lauren & Amanda enjoying their lunch*

Grandpa and Miss Pennie showed up about an hour after us, and brought Cheetos and bubbles for the kids!




*Miss Pennie helps Andrew blow bubbles; Amanda & Lauren see who can blow the biggest bubble; Grandpa & Miss Pennie take Andrew on a bumpy firetruck ride*

After lunch, Lisa headed home for naptime; Andrew went with Grandpa and Miss Pennie to see the horses; and I took the girls swimming. Lauren and I went down the water slide about 6 times, and I have an injured elbow to show for it. Both of the girls are becoming much more comfortable in the water - thanks again to Tasha at the club for helping our girls become swimmers! We also went on a ride on an antique fire truck - it was bumpy, but fun.

We came home for a quick nap/rest, then it was over to Aaron and Lisa's for food, folks, and fun! Aaron is a master BBQ'er and treated us to BBQ chicken and sausages. Lisa and I came up with a red, white, and blue appetizer using our fresh grown blueberries, yummy strawberries, and an amazing (sugar-free, fat-free) marshmellow and cream cheese fruit dip. Lisa also did a great job with the decorations and keeping the festivities going. In attendance were Lisa's parents & grandma, Aaron's parents & uncle, and they graciously invited Grandpa and Miss Pennie.



*Andrew & Colin contemplate the fountain; Mark & Grandpa enjoy the BBQ; Andrew & Colin caged in watching the Papa's play frisbee*

For dessert, Lisa had concocted a yummy peanut butter/brownie dessert, and Lew (Grandpa) treated us to homemade ice cream with his new ice cream maker. YUM!!


*The kids line up for the show; It's getting colder, everyone gets their jackets & blankets; Mark & Aaron enjoy homemade ice cream*

We then lined up out front for fireworks. We did a few sparklers before giving the kids a bath and putting the boys to bed. Andrew was not too fond of the fireworks - maybe he'll become a fireman! Once it was a little darker we set off the rest of the fireworks, along with many of our neighbors. This is a little strange to me, because where we're from I don't think you're allowed to do fireworks in your neighborhood - but we're getting used to it, and it's nice not to have to head out again to go to a fireworks show.


*Lisa and I are always the ones taking the pictures... so here's a picture of Lisa; the girls try out the sparklers that Gigi (great-grandma) brought*

We had a great time and made lots of fun memories! We hope you enjoyed your Fourth and found joy in celebrating our great nation's birthday!!