Happy 4th!

Hey Everybody!! Ellen Here!

4th of July is one of my favorite times of the year!  The sun is warm, the days are long, and we get to spend a long weekend at the lake!

4th of July also means that I get to spend a couple days at Wee Pals because Gretchen usually goes on vacation for the week.  Wee Pals has a 4th of July parade every year and it is a TON of fun.  This year we made shakers, and cute hats, and I got to wear my Red, White, and Blue dress.  Too bad Maren decided to sleep through the parade.

I love my Red, White, and Blue dress, so I asked Mama to take my picture, which I usually am not too excited to slow down and do.

At the lake I have a LOT of important things to do, like play in the sand, fill buckets with water, ride around on the paddle boats, and drive the speed boat!

Linden can usually be found behind the speed boat (on a tube or skis) but not the morning of the 4th, that time is spent with the neighbors working on the boat parade.  This year they did a synchronized swimming theme and they won 1st place!!

Of course, I am not the only one with a 4th of July outfit.  Aren't we cute?

I never like night to come because it means that it is time to go to bed, but the 4th of July is special and we get to stay up SUPER late for the fireworks.  Mama used to make me go to bed and then she would wake me up for the fireworks, but this year I got to stay up and go with Daddy on the boat (Mama met us and got on the boat with Maren too).

Gotta love the obligatory selfie with Mama!!

The fireworks at the lake are just amazing, Linden's face says it all!

The week was spent tubing, and skiing, and tubing, and skiing.  Every year the same families stay at the lake so we have gotten to know them really well.  I love that we have made some great friends and get to see them every year.

I think everybody tried skiing this year, even me!  Although I used the ski trainer.

Well, except Maren, but she did get to spend a lot of time on the boat.  She doesn't love her life jacket yet so it was a bit of a struggle, but I am certain she still had a great time.

4th of July also means lots of time with family, including my cousins Mackenzie and Maverick!  I love getting to play with them as much as I can.

It was a great weekend with awesome weather, time with family and friends, and lots of memories.
Ellen