Smoke Signal

This year Alex was very into fireworks.

So she got started early with some smoke bombs.

Bre and Buggy are so cute watching Alex's show.

Buggy liked the quiet smoke bombs.  She wasn't a fan of the moon rockets, and hid behind her Bre for protection from the noise.



Woodsmen

The guys getting some firewood.

Mike getting to load it on the golf cart.

My brother, always the cheeser for the camera.



Wildlife

Bre and her Great Uncle Tom got a turtle.

Seems like every 4th of July we have some sort of wildlife.

This guy was really fast.



Getting ready to start a few fireworks.

My Brother keeping the fire going and Alex starting a sparkler in the fire pit.

Lots of smoke making it hard for the camera to focus and see the girls doing sparklers.



Roosevelt Park Zoo

While home we made a quick trip to the Roosevelt Park Zoo.  We love this zoo and wanted to see how they were recovering after the flood.

These are our favorite monkeys, they are so loud you can hear them in the parking lot and across the zoo.  Much of the zoo has been cleaned up and repaired, but the otter and penguin exhibits were still being worked on and remained closed at the time. 

The kids had fun feeding the animals.

Buggy was not afraid.

Bre took lots of pictures with Papas camera.

They had the best Bunnies, this guy was soooo BIG. (I know hard to tell from a photo)

We had lots of fun watching the Giraffe.  He desperately wanted some leaves off the tree.

They were just a tish out of his reach.

That was

until

the wind blew in his favor.



Black Cat

Every year someone gets a Black Cat shirt.

This year was Bre's year!

At the Lake

My Dads good friend has a place on the water and he lets us come out and enjoy the water.

Buggy and Alex with the water squirters.

It is so nice to get in the cool water on those hot days in July.

(John took this pic, I'm in the water with my kids.)

All you can see of me is my head in this one.  Isn't this just a great place to swim.

Cheetos Monster,

and she doesn't waist any of it.  Fingers are the best part.

Trying to get my Dad to jump off the dock, John is on the left.

John trying to get Mom in the water.

Alex jumping first!

Papa next!

Alex again!

I love this one of Mike, he is off the dock but not in the water yet.