Our 4th Weekends...

Meanwhile...back in Evanston.

the 4th spent in Holland

Wow. What a weekend! We changed up our standard Fourth of July plans, loaded up the car (plus Mimi), and went to Holland to spend time with some aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends! It did not disappoint. Along with all the food...oh, the food...we were able to be outside doing just about anything we could dream up. We boated, kayaked, swam, rode the jet ski, went tubing on the lake, threw the frisbee, played baseball, made bubbles, fished off the dock, played bags, cooked up s'mores, watched a dozen firework displays all at the same time, and had glow stick battles...all from sun up to well after sun down. I'm worn out just typing all this, and it was so much fun.

The day was so full that Ellis fell asleep on Grandma B's lap during the fireworks. The rest of us were asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow.

fun on the 4th

Fourth of July 2013

Today's activities started at 9:00am and ended a long 13 hours later at 10:00pm. It was a day packed with fun in the park, a cookout, a parade, beach fun, and of course, fireworks. Let's get started.

Holidays require festive shirts to wear, right? 

E. So serious.

Now, do your best firework impression...

First we hopped on our bikes and rode to the park for some fun. Running races, sack races, and penny scrambles were among the many activities planned for the community. Oh wait, one more picture of your awesome firework headbands, guys.

They just love posing for me.

M signed up quickly for a little 25 yard dash. 

E decided he wanted to participate in the penny scramble...

...and then he didn't. (perhaps getting up at 5:45am wasn't the best thing that could have happened today)

Then, there was a father son sack race. Andrew and M won their heat without any problem.

There were more things to do, but we were on our way to a cookout! After that, the parade.

All the excitement got to this guy...he napped on the way home.

A little later on, we headed out to the beach to claim a spot for fireworks! We all were in good hands with Super Raf.

Glow sticks are standard fare for the beach at night...and ALWAYS cause problems...always. When will I learn to just get one kind of item for everyone?

Fireworks started shortly after I put my camera away. E sat with Grandma B and I'm pretty sure M didn't even see one. He was pretty busy with his glow wand...