We had a fabulous weekend of the Fourth. On Saturday, I had a canning party with a few friends and family (it was a
House Party. So fun. I recommend signing up!) and after clean up, we headed out to watch some fireworks. We were originally planning on going to Webster Groves for their fair, but found out before we left that they were only doing fireworks Sunday and Monday. So we hit the internet and got the idea to watch the Arch fireworks from the east side. Genius! We ran into zero traffic and watched the fireworks from the Eads bridge. Great view. The only minor downside was being unable to hear the music, but not having to sit in any kind of traffic on the way home totally made up for that. I'll sing my own soundtrack to avoid traffic! So fun.
 |
| Mommy and her girls before the fireworks started. |
 |
| The white truck down there is an ice cream truck. What a genius! Charlotte and Matt went down to get a treat right before the police shooed him away. :) |
 |
| Enjoying an ice cream cone! |
Sunday we took it easy in the morning. We spent some quality pool time before heading out to my aunt and uncle's lake house in Cuba, MO. Our neighbors gave us this super cool pool and slide. Charlotte and Audrey love it. Daddy likes it, too.
 |
| Lounging in the pool |
 |
| Down the slide! |
 |
| Cheese! |
 |
| Cutest little water bug. |
 |
| Keeping cool! |
Once we got to the lake house, the girls played outside with their cousins and some friends from
SMTC. The Dimmitts, Laura and Ryan were there, too, so we celebrated the July birthdays. My aunt Shirley brought a cute cake from Costco, where all wonderful things come from. :)
 |
| Carrie- 26, Scott- 49, Charlotte-3 and Derek- 4 |
 |
| Charlotte and her cake (and her "Unicorn Pony", the weird ponytail sticking out of her head) |
 |
| The birthday boys and girls |
 |
| Claiming their pieces |
 |
| Opening his new ring toss game |
 |
| Charlotte opening some of her presents |
 |
| Ready to blow out candles! |
 |
| Doesn't Derek look like such a BOY here? |
 |
| Derek huffing and puffing |
 |
| Sad face after Uncle Scott blew out Charlotte's candle. |
On the Fourth we headed out to the Arch again, this time with Uncle Ted in town. He surprised us all by showing up at the lake house. He was able to swing into town during an off week. We were so excited to see him! (For those who don't know, he works for the
Missoula Children's Theater, a super cool organization and a great experience for Ted)
 |
| Ear plugs for Charlotte since the fireworks were "too loud". She took them out just in time for the finale. |
 |
| She looks so grown up here! I can't get over it. |
 |
| Mommy and Audrey |
 |
| Ready for fireworks! |
 |
| Still waiting... |
 |
| Yay for Uncle Ted time! |
 |
| And the fireworks! |
 |
| So pretty |
 |
| Headed home. I know it's a terrible picture- out of focus, bad light- but it pretty much sums up how I felt on that awful Metro ride home! It was a long, but ultimately wonderful weekend and work was just that much worse on Tuesday. :) |