For anyone that hosts often, you probably already know, but having a 'game plan' for the weekend always helps us! This is what I texted out the week of to get everyone excited. It doesn't always go as planned {we didn't end up doing everything} but this at least stops the 'what should we do's.
Friday I got off work at noon and picked up the kids from my sister's house {they went to a drive in and had a sleepover the night before} to take them to their eye appointments {only one ended up needing a new script}. Afterwards we ran to Sam's for parade candy, Target for last minute weekend goodies, and grabbed my niece and nephew before heading home. Once home, we kicked off the long weekend with bombpops for the kids and boozy bombpops for the adults. Later that night my parents joined us.
{note, pizza on the dock and catching fireflies did not happen -- four kids with one adult on the dock didn't sound like a good idea. Plus it was approximately 1309373 degrees}
Saturday morning we loaded everyone up and headed to the parade where my sister and Myles joined us. We had donuts and breakfast pizza while we waited. At the last minute I ran Jordyn to the dance float and Cullyn to the church float to walk in the parade.
That afternoon we headed to the water. After cruising, we grilled out, decorated the boat for the boat parade, and watched fireworks from the boat before calling it a night!
Once we were all up for the day {yay for sleeping in!} we headed outside for Donuts & Drinks in the Drive! We started this tradition a couple of years ago, and it's one of the kids favorites! They love to help. I forgot to get a photo of the cooks, but big thanks to my dad and BIL for cooking them! :) The kids loved delivering them to the neighbors {via 4 wheeler and golf cart of course!}
My sweet nephew was not feeling this photo! He headed down for a nap right after this! ;) We cleaned up and chatted with Adam's cousin & family while my dad and Cullyn went fishing.
Mom life -- he was so darn proud of that fish he had no idea he was sliming my entire kitchen!
We got everyone ready and headed down to the boat for the afternoon.
Our friends Jimmi & Haley came over for a fish fry and then Adam's band played across the street from our house! :)
Monday morning mom and I took Lola for a walk and made mini pancake stacks before heading straight for the water. The kids had been waiting all weekend for the water to slow down so they could go tubing!
We looked like the Griswalds! :)
And then we cleaned everything up and got ready for another week!
The kids got to go home with my parents for a few days finally {they've been wanting to go all summer and the schedule just wasn't working out!}
Past 4th of July's
2010
2012 {part 2}
2013
2014
2015
2016 {part 2}
2018
2020
