Thursday, July 7, 2011

Family Fun on the Fourth!

We had a fun-filled 4th of July celebration! All the local family plus the Deceusters joined us for a sleepover the night before so we could get an early start on the festivities...(Many thanks to Amy for her help with all the games/activities.)

FLAG CEREMONY: We honored our old flag one last time as we played our National Anthem before we retired it & raised a new one. Our Scouts led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.






PARADE: We decorated the bikes & ride-it-toys with Red, White, & Blue while Aunt Amy shared her face-painting skills with us. Then we held a parade complete with patriotic music.


















Kaden chose the tiny ATV, but we didn't check the batteries...it was dead...so Unka Ty & I helped him out...



COOLING OFF: It was a HOT day so we cooled off on the water slide then took a kayak run (the kayaking photos are taken with my new "waterproof" camera that we purchased for our upcoming Grand Canyon trip)...











YUMMY FOOD & DELICIOUS TREATS: What is the 4th of July without some smoked ribs?




Alana helped with our patriotic white-chocolate dipped strawberries...





Aunt Rochelle accepted the challange to get in touch with her creative side & arrange the berries on this delicious treat...



Aunt Amy made this fun flag cake with the different colored layers that looked like a flag when you cut into it...




The kids enjoyed these "mocktails" - the Pop Rocks around the rim of the glass created a fizzy explosion in their mouths...their own personal fireworks!




GAME ON! The fun continued with some friendly competitions...

Watermellon Eating Contest...

the little kids...







...and it's a tie!




the BIG kids...






Uncle Scar really got into it - growling & slobbering like a crazed wild animal on a feeding frenzy...his strategy almost paid off because his opponents started cracking up, distracting them from the task at hand...






but Unka Ty stayed focused for the WIN!




Water Balloon Toss...





And the winner is? Luke & Uncle Scar!



Water Balloon Volleyball...






Aunt Nicole has perfect form...all the way to her pointed toe!






Carson got a "little" help from his dad...




Kyle & Ethan were victorious with their "cheater" serve - I mean "killer" serve.




Water Fun/Fights...






Adia was definitely a good sport...

FIREWORKS: Last year we enjoyed the fireworks show from the drugstore parking lot so we hoped to recreate that experience - BUT...we didn't get the memo that it was held on Saturday this year instead of on the actual 4th of July. Who's idea was THAT??? LAME! However, that did NOT spoil our patriotic spirit!



GOD BLESS AMERICA!

11 comments:

Middleton Family said...

Party on! That was a SUPER FUN day! Thanks for all your hard work. :)

Middleton Family said...

And thanks for the creative shot that only featured my arm... I feel loved!

The Holyoaks said...

So jealous! Our 4th was not that exciting because there are always some party poopers afoot. Oh well! I can't wait until August!

The Horners said...

I can't believe how long Nicole's hair is!!!

Can we please play some of those games in a few weeks? So much fun!

Shantel said...

You guys are so fun!! What fun ideas with decorating the bikes and all those yummy looking treats!

NoNo said...

That looks to be about the most fun 4th of July EVER!

Gina Deceuster said...

We had SO MUCH FUN!!! We might just have to come back every year!

Portillo Portal said...

OMG! What a fun party! Looks like you guys had a great time! I love all your creative ideas :)

Bassetts said...

Awesome! What a totally awesome party! I love all the games you did and especially impressed with Amy's face painting, Rochelle's creativity, and Nicole's pretty toes :) Adia is SUCH a good sport! See you guys tomorrow!

Linda and Rex said...

Nothing beats a Middleton party.

Misty said...

Oh my goodness your day looked AMAZING! I'm coming there next year for the 4th of July. I'll plan accordingly with Jill! =)

I love that my blog is listed as "Misty (my adopted daughter)"

Oh - and sweet ride!!