4th of July Bash part 1

I have so many pictures I want to share, but obviously, will need to split it up over a few days....

We got to the property early Friday morning -- and spent all day Friday & Saturday working on the cabin.  One Saturday, Mike's uncle & his family came down to the property to stay with us & play a bit!  Since we don't have a shower yet, the girls took a motel room (for the shower & pool) while the guys hunkered down in the cabin (at least there was A/C!).

Our girls were pretty much raised w/ these kids.  Brian & Gerri have 5 kids, with one more they're adopting.  Katie & their second kid, Price, are 4 months apart ... they also looked so much alike when they were little.  Between the two of them, one was always taller than the other, so every time we see them, the first thing they do is measure their height.  Katie's been in the lead for a few years, but I'm sure Price is going to beat her in the height department in a few years. Also, they were the best of friends -- inseparable!  Maddie & their 4th kid, Leah, are also close in age.  They are 3 months apart.  Altogether, they get along great --

The other Nelson clan brought their 4 wheelers, since there's tons of land around for them to go 4 wheeling.  A lake is right down the road, and we took the kids twice to go swimming and to watch the fireworks.  Not to mention the girls all staying up late and reminiscing about favorite memories of growing up together.  Made for some pretty hysterical nights!  It's the "If I laugh more -- I'm gonna pee my pants" kind of laughs!

Here is Maddie & Leah -- their version of a mud bath at the lake:

They brought their puppy Jersey down with them as well -- Maddie woke up to the puppy sleeping on her pillow. Needless to say, she wasn't very excited about that. Takes after her dad....

One day after eating at this fantastic Italian restaurant by the lake, the kids were watching the water. We decided to hang around the water instead of going back to the cabin to wait for the fireworks.

Tried to capture the beautiful rays ... can never do it justice on camera!

Here is Katie & Price ...

They decided to get into the water and play after eating ...

Finally the time came for the fireworks!!

Here is Hannah & Jersey .. so cute!

This was the only shot worth showing ... that I attempted to take of the fireworks. Was on manual -- but tons of trees in the way!

Part 2 coming soon!