Jameson has learned the wave and smile method for getting LOTS of candy thrown at you.
After the parade and some lunch we headed to 1st Dam for a bit after our hiking plans changed. The adults sat on a blanket in the shade and talked while the kids waded in the reservoir, shot water at each other with their water guns and chased the ducks (poor ducks). A box of Ritz crackers kept everyone happy and we were there longer than I thought we would be.
That night it was time for fireworks and Grandma and Grandpa's deck is an awesome viewing location.
Cousin selfie.
How's this for a sunset on the 4th of July? Jenna took some amazing sunset pictures while they waited for the fireworks.
Jameson LOVES having cousins to play with every day.
On Wednesday we hit a local splash pad.
Jameson really wanted to do sparklers for his half birthday on July 6th. Good thing Aunt Tif was prepared.
On Thursday Taylor and Jen took Jameson with Will and June on a little hike in the mountains while Jen went for a run.
The stumbled upon the Stokes Nature Center which is designed for children and has all sorts of hands on things for them to do.
Then they went to Herm's for lunch. It was a new experience for Jameson to get to go to lunch with friends.
As if that wasn't enough fun for one day we headed to a local reservoir beach (which I had never been to) for a few hours in the late afternoon.
Taylor in the Gilligan hat.
June and Jen
Abigail and Korinne played with these 2 logs the entire time.
Water and goldfish crackers, what's not to love?
Tuesday through Saturday Korinne and Abigail attended Patriot Camp from 9:30 a.m. to noon at a park. We signed them up on a whim and didn't expect much, but it turned out to be cooler than we thought.
It was designed to teach elementary aged children the history of our country since schools are really lacking in this department. I just kept thinking to myself, "Oh yeah, this is 100% Kristen approved". They even started and ended each day with prayer. After seeing the activities and snacks and materials needed it was clear that it cost a lot more than $35.00 a kid to put on and then we saw all on the sponsors on the back of the T-shirts and it all made sense. I think these businesses are supporting a very worthy cause! Korinne and Abigail really enjoyed it and learned a lot, too.
On Friday evening Heather's family rolled into town for the Gran Fondo bike ride the next morning. Elsie's birthday was on the 6th so we all celebrated with donuts.
So many cousins, so little time. It gets a little crazy with 4 families all together, but it's always fun.
Taylor, Jen and Aaron all rode the organized 100 mile ride with 900 of their closest friends on Saturday morning, but Heather and I went on a lovely 24 mile ride just by ourselves.
Heather learned once again how fun it is to ride up my hill at the end of each ride.
It was no surprise that Taylor was the first to finish the ride (it wasn't technically a race) and Jen was the first female to finish 17 min behind Taylor. Not too shabby.
Here they are with Will and June at the finish line.
Aaron finished his first 100 mile ride with a smile. Heather stuck around for a few more hours before driving back home that evening.
Jameson's bike broke beyond repair and as a kid who really loves to ride his bike and doesn't have a birthday for another 6 months we decided to just go ahead and get him a bigger bike that he can grow into. Wow. He looks so big and grown up!
Grandma got out a slip-n-slide for the grandkids and it was a hit.
Even Jenna got in on the action.
We have great neighbors and they were in the front yard of my parents house talking for quite awhile, so when we had a lot of dinner leftovers my parents just invited them in for a bite to eat.
Josh and Carrie, Lacie and Dave. Always ready for a party! :-)
All of the craziness came to an abrupt halt on Saturday evening when Heather left and then Taylor and Jen left not too long afterwards. Jameson is really going to miss his cousins and all of the excitement! Tiffany and Abigail will be around for a bit, but the unofficial reunion has came to an end. I think a good time was had by all.
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