Fourth of July Fun

We made our way back to the grand old United States of America to celebrate her birthday this year.  Our flights home went really well and since their weren't any hitches at all along the way, we did a lot of waiting.  But the wait was all worth it when we finally got off the plane in Cedar Rapids to see my mom and dad waiting for us.  We made it back to Marengo as the 3rd of July parade started but with signs of rain coming and us being totally exhausted we headed home.

  

The next morning my sister and brother were both at the house to see us and Addie got all cuddled up with them and Grandpa Jeff.

My nephew, Bo, has grown up sooooo much and is walking all over the place.  Harry and Addison loved getting to play with Bo in person versus just seeing him on Skype.  I don't think he was quite ready for all the attention from my two youngsters, but he got warmed up to them later that day.  

We went over to my Grandma Lynn's house for a big cookout and family get together so it felt like Christmas in July without the presents and we had rain instead of snow.  We are usually lounging around in lawn chairs but this year the cousins hung out in Grandma's living room.

I brought a little bit of British to our US celebration by making my favorite Eton Mess with a red, white, and blue flair.  Funny thing was that our local grocery store didn't sell merangie nests so I had to make them from scratch and they got done with seconds to spare before dinner.  Now in England all desserts get set out and eaten after dinner and this is something I had gotten accustomed to, but I forgot I was back in America and especially in "Schafbuchland" at our family gathers that all foods sweet and savory got put out at the same time.

Harrison loved getting to play with his Uncle Casey and it is amazing on how much these too look like each other...we hope they turn out a lot like eat other personality wise as well.  What a bunch of sweet hearts!

Addison was really digging all the sweeties and goodies at Grandma's house.  Grandpa Jeff didn't mind at all having her get her grubbly little fingers all over him either.

Here are my two boys...so serious looking!  I think they could both use a nap.

Addison was full of smiles all day!

One family tradition on the 4th is playing the bean bag game.  Since it rained they moved the tournament inside.  Kevin set up brackets and had teams broke out in the matter of minutes...my dad was so impressed.  Addison and Aubrey were showing the boys some new techniques.

The competition drew quite a crowd of spectators' in Grandpa's shed and his old Farmall M was a great seat for the show.

Bo cuddled up with my mom a lot.  She and my dad help watch Bo on the weekends when my sister and brother-in-law both work weekend packages at the hospital.  They have such a great bond with him and I'm glad they get to spend so much time with him.  He is such a cutie-patutie!!!

I so remember when Aubrey was Addie's age.  She was the youngest cousin and still is in my generation, but now we've got three little ones that seem to grab everyone's attention.  Addison loved following Aubrey around and I think Aubrey liked being the older one for once.  Bubbles have been a big entertainer for Addison and the two of them had a blast playing together.

First I want to thank my dad for letting me take this picture to illustrate to my British friends the meaning of "Farmer tan".  My dad is outside a lot and as you can see he wears ankle socks and developed a very distinctive tan line.  What is even funnier that is that he as another line from wearing these shoes and the base of his feet are even whiter than his ankles.  Love ya dad!!!

I love this picture of Addison with my Grandma Lynn.  I am blessed to part of such an amazing family and have my own family to pass on traditions, stories, and songs.

With us still being a bit jet lagged, my mom and I brought the kids back to the house before the fireworks show and we sat out on their deck to watch since they live just across the ravine from grandma.  My Uncle Kris lives in Wisconsin where fireworks are legal to buy and he brings them to Iowa where you can't buy them.  A few years ago they got a permit from the county so that we could shoot them off at Grandma's house and his been doing it ever since.  He and my dad have even built a rocket shooting platform for them.  I unfortunately kept dosing off during the spectacular light show so I had to  head off to bed.