4 kids-4cousins-4th of July!

The fourth was so rainy. We sat through rain at the parade, rain at fireworks and it was so cold our kids didn't even want to stand outside for a picture. (Of course, I made them because I think coordinating clothing just calls for a picture.) I'm not sure what the heck was the problem with the girls. They are never the problem for pictures. A couple middle boys, sure, but never the girls. Oh well. That's why at our house we call it G-I-R-L. Dramatic, sassy, temper tantrum, tears. We started when she was little because we didn't know how else to talk about it so she wouldn't hear. So we would just say g-i-r-l. It's pretty all-encompassing. Of course now she can spell :) Occasionally, we think she is starting to grow out of it. The spells don't come as fast and furious as they used to. Of course, now we have a little g-i-r-l growing into it!

Braids!

Alexis wanted braids after her shower so she could have curly hair the next day. Turns out, Grace wanted to be just like Lexi. Grace hates getting her hair done but she sat and let me braid her hair and she loved it when it was done!

"My little darlin' is a firecracker"

4010

Yesterday I got to drive the 4010. Today I rode in it. For you city slickers, that's pronounced forty-ten. Brian told me a 1960 John Deere 4010 was like today's cell phone. A farm tool you couldn't do without. The beauty of country life is that everything is done with a tractor. Yesterday Dave pulled out 30 rods of fence so I got to drive the tractor so he didn't have to get up and down and up and down. It was fun being the farm wife for the day. Today, I rode in the bucket of the tractor to paint part of an old barn that will be torn down in a few years but Laura was tired of the eyesore. Zach actually started the project and then left for camp so I'm trying to finish it before we leave. From moving landscaping items to snow removal to general heavy lifting, a 4010 is a useful farm tool.

Yesterday, for the 4th, we went to a parade over in Fontanelle. It was a great parade and all the kids had fun. There was some discussion over whether we should stay where we were or move because we were at the very end of the parade route. The children were concerned about getting enough candy. Turns out that it was rainy so we think people stayed away because of that and we all got PLENTY of candy! It kind of misted the whole time so we got wet but not soaking, which was a good thing. It was funny when we stood up after the parade and Thomas said, Good timing, it's just starting to rain! Laura and I looked at each other like Where have you been? Brian's nephew Hunter marched with the band so that was fun to see him. (He plays the trombone.) It's always better when you know someone in a parade.

I guess in the Britten car there was a discussion on the way back to the house. There was a get together that the Brittens would have gone to if not for their out of town guests.
Thomas: Oh man, we are missing out on Margaret's fried chicken!
Michael: I call the drumsticks!
Grace: I call the trombones!

It rained here all day and by the time we left for fireworks it was back to misting again. Of course, the kids didn't care. It was really fun take two one-year-olds to their first fireworks. We sat down and got all settled in and Caroline got really excited and starting pointing up and down the road, "Car! Car!" She didn't have any idea what we were in for. She loved it though.
Leah loved the fireworks, too and pointed and made a little o with her mouth every time she saw one.

We are with my sister and her family this week. We've come up with a couple of funnies so far. At supper tonight, Grace and Laura had this conversation.
G: Look, this is how monkeys chew.
L: Where did you learn that?
G: From a monkey.

Brian told the boys in the basement to quiet down and quit talking. Michael hollered back. Well, I'm sorry, Dad, but I said something really funny!

Camp Fun

Lexi went to camp this week. Three nights away at our church camp. Pine Lake Christian Camp. Her cousin Shelby went too. They are having a blast I'm sure. We went up on Sunday to drop them off and guess who didn't bring a camera? Me, of course. So I am defaulting to Trish. Just click on my link to The Ficks and you will see an amazing array of pictures of the two of them. Thanks Trish! for saving me.