july 4th 2010, part 1

Ya'll, this post is a picture overload, and my apologies in advance for the strain I'm putting on your eyes. I apparently took over 200 pictures of that Sunday afternoon alone, so I'm sure that you'll thank me for doing the posts in a two part kind of thing. Also, I'm sorry this post is so late. Hey, better late than never, especially since I promised you a 4th post. On to the pictures, shall we?

The festivies started sometime around 3:00, but before all that happened, I snapped some shots of the decorations on the back porch. Dad hung up these flags since we don't have a regular sized one. I know, I know; how very unpatriotic of me...

Serious picture taking commenced shortly after the guests arrived. Mr. Stewart, the dad of the family we baby-sit for (and our pastor!), was pretty surprised when I stood at the backyard gate, waiting to take his picture. :)
Mama talking to Miss Molly...

I just had to get a picture of the 4 goggled friends before they jumped in, which wasn't 5 minutes after they got there. Note Clark's enormous straps on the sides of his goggles, and how much darker he his than Andrew, Caleb and Sam.

We swam, we took pictures, we laughed, we took pictures, shucked corn, and took more pictures of said corn shucking.

We even roped Mr. Stewart into helping us, much to the amazement of his children. I think they keep forgetting he grew up on a farm type place in a town smaller than our's.

When the boys finally took a break, Caleb decided that he needed to work on his tan. On the concrete, when the patio chairs weren't two feet away. I didn't really understand that idea, but he didn't seem to mind.

Many rounds of croquet followed the swimming. I think

A typical Caleb face. I always laugh at it, and I think that's why he always makes it. In fact, I laugh at almost any face or saying Caleb does. He's just a funny little guy.

His sister, Sam. Not to be confused with Sam, my cousin. Funny, though...they both have blond hair and blue eyes.

After croquet, and adult swim, throwing children was on the agenda. Sports mode is my new best friend when it comes to jump shots.

Much to Mama's dismay, Mr. Stewart had to throw Clark. Poor Mama. :)

I love how Andrew's the only one smiling. Clark's being all cool-like, and Caleb, well...he just ignored me.

Mr. Eddie and Miss Molly...

Finally, after we heard several pleas for food, we threw the food on the grill. It was just so pretty I had to get a picture. That and the fact that Dad told me to. You know how guys are about food.

The spread. And, let me tell you, it was some of the best cookout food I've had in a long time. Seriously.

Once the boys finished eating, they decided to start on the ice cream. We have one of those old fashioned hand cranked ones, so it was a good way to work our arm muscles.

Andrew was intent on telling me something, and he wasn't going to stop for the camera.

Poor Sam didn't last very long, but she did her (small) share! Great job, Sambo.

Andrew kept a watch on the time with his fancy iTouch. I'm now convinced that I need one, also.

When it was Andrew's turn, which he was one of the people who did 10 mins instead of 5, Em kept count. Well, the iTouch did, but she made sure that it didn't fall or anything.

Frost King, you make some tasty goodness...in the form of ice cream. I love you.

This picture cracks me up! I can't remember what they were talking about, but Em's face is priceless.

Come on back later this week (yes, I will have it up later this week. doubters. :) for the conclusion. Actually, I think the fireworks pictures might be in a separate post, but I haven't decided yet. I'm very indecisive, you know!