We had the amazing opportunity to spend the 4th of July with Gramma and Gramps by the Lake this year...a week FULL of amazing memories!!!
...Happy Girls...
Playing card games with Gramps...
Beach time!
Building a sandcastle with Daddy...
Playing football on the sand...
Rylee wanted to "strike a pose" for the camera...
and another...
and we can't forget the "ballerina" pose!
The boys found a golf ball, and took turns throwing it in and then diving to look for it with their googles under the water...
Swinging with Gramma...
Silly monkeys!
One of the highlights of this trip, was getting all our kids on the waterski trainer!
Ryder was a little nervous at first...
And then there was Cole...
We all knew he was brave...
...but what a showman! He was cracking us up the whole time!
I love this boy!
After watching the boys, Cora decided to give it a try too :)
It took a little convincing to get her to try it, but here, she makes it look easy!
So proud of our girl! John and I love to see them overcome fears and try something new!
Even this little pip-squeak joined the fun! She was only sad her sister got to go first. It's so hard being the youngest!
It's amazing to see the differences in their personalities begin to emerge SO early in life!
Cora took some convincing (and several chocolate chips) to try...
No fear from this one at ALL!
She even gained some fans along the way!
After the kids turns were over, they got comfy...
...and it was OUR turn!
As the girls slowly drifted off...
Sun + Waves = sleepy time for the girls :)
Mom was amazing :)
Even I took a stab at it...though I think I prefer being a human body pillow for whichever sleeping child needs one at the moment!
Then we anchored the boat for a little swim...
The boys collected driftwood...
Miss Rylee would've floated all day if we let her! It was hard to get her back in the boat!
One of the things the kids wanted to do while in Arrowhead, was have a lemonade and cookie stand on Cole's birthday! The boys wanted to raise money for waterproof cochlear implants for Cole so they can talk to each other while in the water....isn't technology amazing!!!
Cookie making at it's finest...
Gramma makes everything fun...
We woke up on July 4th to a six-year old ready to open his presents!
Happy 6th Birthday to Cole Bryan!
One was too big to wrap...
Of course, they had to try it out right away...
The sisters watched from the shore...
Then we jumped back on the bigger boat for a cruise around the lake, and a little family swim to shore...
After the lemonade and cookie stand...it was on to dinner and CUPCAKES!
We sang so loudly, our neighbors joined in!
"I want THIS one!"
Along with swimming, skiing, swimming and games, all week long, the boys were GLUED to the Tour De France with Gramps. He truly got the best gift in the world in those two! I've never seen two more passionate about cycling all week than my boys! They knew every rider by name!
The we hopped on the boat for an after dinner ride...next stop...FIREWORKS!
At first, we had the lake to ourselves.
He kept announcing to the passing boats...
"Happy 4th of July! It's my birthday!!!"
As it grew darker, more boats made their way to the center of the lake where the fireworks show was about to begin...
We were poised and ready...
And then...the mast amazing fireworks show I've EVER seen exploded above us, over the glistening water...
And as I lay back under the stars and with brilliant lights overhead, I just soaked it in...so many blessings, it was impossible to count, but my heart spoke them all with every beat of gratitude, knowing I didn't deserve an ounce of it. Not one ounce of the blessing that surrounded me that night had I earned in anyway...but His grace...oh His grace....it really is the sweetest of all.
Thank-you, Jesus for memories we'll cherish for a lifetime...and for the FREEDOM that is only found in you, because of your grace.
