Fourth of July

We decided to stick around close to home for the 4th.  Marc is building a chicken coup and had a great little helper.  All the tools came out and Marc even made little Marcus a tool belt.  I think we've got a little builder on our hands.  Another trait handed over from Daddy.

The Starks invited us over for a BBQ.  I was in charge of dessert!  I've always wanted to do a patriotic cake and settled on a jello cake.  It was yellow cake, strawberry jello, cool whip, strawberries and blueberries.  Didn't it turn out cute?  Olivia really wanted to make cookies.  She even designed them on a piece of paper for me.  She drew a bunch of cookies that looked like stars and they all had sprinkles.  She went to the store with me to get all the ingredients and was there every step of the way instructing me what to do.  All the kids helped with the sprinkles...they turned out great too! 

The Starks had some fireworks.  The kids were really into it this year.  The little ones helped put the bottle rockets into pipes that were set up.  Then they cleared away.

Then the big kids lit the bottle rockets and stood back to watch the show.

I can't believe how big these kids are now (I wish I would have taken a picture from the other side but those fireworks were unpredictable)! Courtney (in the middle) turned 13 on July 3rd! She used to be the baby! Kylie (2nd from the left) is going to be a Senior next year!  Katie is on the far left, Karissa in the yellow and Evan on the end...

FLASHBACK...

This is July 4, 2006 with the same big kids as above.  From left to right, Courtney (7), Karissa (8), Kylie (11), Katie (6) and Evan (4).  Olivia is front left and Emma is front right...just 1 month old; their first 4th of July! They slept through the whole thing.  Hard to believe they are now 6 years old!  Yesterday we couldn't stop talking about the twins' first 4th so I just had to dig this up.  Where does the time go???