Tricked

For some reason our kids always ask to sleep downstairs.  They think it will be awesome.  We've told them no until last night.  Joe was gone and I told the kids the reason why they can't sleep downstairs is because Dad and I are up cleaning.  They would have to make the downstairs totally clean if they wanted to sleep downstairs.  They never cleaned so well!

4th of July and Visitors!

I'm normally a Fourth of July party pooper when it comes to many of the traditional activities.  This year we decided to go big because we had visitors.  It was also beautiful weather so that helped a lot.

 Fourth of July parade pictures.  

 Laura, Thomas, Lily and Lincoln waiting for the parade.

 Aren't our clothes so festive?  This is pretty big for me.  

We went to this kid zone that was supposed to be expensive but somehow we ended up with a ton of free tickets.  I guessed we looked pitiful enough that people thought we should just have the tickets.  That made for my Fourth of July!

I am truly grateful for our country and all those men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us free.