Happy 4th of July!

We hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We kicked off the weekend with a backyard campout. I'm convinced this is the way to camp with small kids. For them it is about the whole experience. They really don't care if it is at a campsite or in the backyard.

We haven't camped since Jacob's 5th birthday. At the last minute, Steve and I decided to surprise the boys with a camping night. As soon as we made the announcement, they were ready to roll. Steve was off work Friday and played golf in the morning. So when he got home, we got busy setting up the campsite. Zach and I went to the grocery store to get all our food goodies for the night. Meanwhile, Steve and Jacob worked on setting everything else up. Amber and I traded a tv for a tent back in the fall. This tent is the biggest tent I've ever seen. There is enough room for 2 families in it! I think we got the better end of the deal on the trade!

We did all the traditional camping stuff...grilling hot dogs, making smores, sitting around the fire, etc. The boys picked out some patriotic stories to read then it was off to bed. They were so excited to sleep in the tent. Since someone had to sleep inside with Andrew, I wasn't able to stay the night in the tent :) When everyone laid down, we looked up where the top of the tent had a mesh top and could see the beautiful sky. The sky was filled with stars, the crickets were chirping away, and the weather couldn't have been better. It was a beautiful night to camp.

Now the funny part...Steve came in the house at midnight absolutely livid. Zachary had wet the bed. That NEVER happens. Zachary is our child that potty-trained himself (really he did) and never wore diapers to bed. He never, ever, ever has accidents in the bed. Jacob and Zachary were sharing the air mattress, so then Steve had to change out sheets and clothes. Then Steve and Zachary had to share a blanket leaving Steve to have a miserable night's sleep. Steve said he didn't sleep all night long. But every time he looked at Zachary, he was zonked out with no covers. Yet Steve was freezing to the point of not being able to sleep.

7 am everyone came barrelling back in the house and Steve started making pancakes for everyone. Steve went on to explain what the 4th of July was. I think he lost them at the point of explaining taxation without representation.

The 4th is a great time to reflect on how thankful we are to those who fought for our freedom! We are thankful to those who are still fighting for us!