Feeling patriotic

Waaaay back at the beginning of July we celebrated Independence Day in a big way. We are talking 4 days worth of non-stop action and fun. We started with fireworks and ribs at Jennifer and Jodi's house on Wednesday. Naomi's favorites this year were smoke bombs, poppers, and parachutes (which she called umbrellas). Leah didn't show much reaction to the fireworks this year but she didn't cry during them (very much) which leads me to believe that she kind of liked them.

 Naomi got to light some of her own smoke bombs.

On the fourth we went to my parents and spent the morning outside doing all manner of foreworks. Jake and Daniel had fun acting like kids again and trying to blow themselves up.

 Leah and Naomi are in love with their cousins, Piper and Lylah. We can't wait until they are all running around playing together.

I though Naomi looked so cute enjoying her Watermelon in solitude

 On the 5th we packed up bright and early to go to my sister's house in Nebraska. I was seriously unprepared for the amount of fun we squeezed into the 24 hours that we were there. Swimming, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, glow sticks, fireworks, the park, pez, stickers, and two trips to the shaved ice stand. Not to mention an unbelievable amount of good food. Right in the midst of the fun, Leah climbed up this entire flight of deck stairs. She's keeping me on my toes these days.

 My sister, Chrissie, spent a long time playing in the grass with Naomi. Here they are practicing their tandem summersault and downhill log roll. Naomi still needs a little work.

Since then I've been in catch-up mode. This summer class is seriously kicking my booty. I have 10 days to get the rest of my assignments in. Wish me luck!