4th Of July Fireworks

Possibly the hottest 4th of July we've ever had, as temps hovered above 90 before 9am, we tried to mow the lawn and deadhead some flowers! After showers, we spent most of the day indoors. Our backyard weather clock read 103 at its highest. The kids played checkers and wii with dad, and I piddled around cleaning up, and making food. We ate like kings- a huge fruit salad, leftover sun-dried tomato basil pasta salad, devilled eggs, corn on the cob, grilled steak with baby bella mushrooms and blue cheese, and strawberry pudding pie. (All tracked diligently by this Weight Watcher).

After church, and our farm cow experience, we headed to a neighboring town for fireworks. Last year we sat in the distance, on a hill by the local movie theatre, but were disappointed to miss the lower fireworks, and missed some of the visceral experience of the sounds. This year we got there a bit early, so we drove around, parked, and walked until we could figure out where the fireworks came from. Much to our delight we ended up just in front of where they were set off. On a hillside, we actually had to lay back to see the fireworks- as they literally filled the entire sky above us. I couldn't get the largest ones in my camera frame- they were that close. The sounds were incredible- vibrating against our faces. Hands down, the greatest fireworks experience we've ever had, and not one the boys will soon, or ever, forget. Of course, I took tons of a pictures. Here are my favorites:

 Happy Independence Day, America!

Cow Farm!

We went to a nearly empty Wednesday night service at church this week. Yes, it was 4th of July, but we couldn't go the last couple weeks because Theo was out of town, and I don't even try to take the kids without him- and this Sunday he works. Our church doesn't have activities for the kids during the service- Sunday school, only during the school year, is after the service. The kids sit with us in church, and it is super challenging.
So Wednesday the 4th of July it was! The only other people there were farmers from down the street, and they invited us to bring the kids to see their baby cows. Only 2 weeks old! Yes, we were so excited. Here are Ben and Hunter with 2 week old Miss Mabel. She wanted out of that fence so bad, she was darn near jumping it.

More babies! They let us feed them pellets and the calfs just sucked them right out of the your hands. Very cool.

Off to see one section of the steers, fed only corn I think he told us.

They had just sprayed them to keep them cool, so there was a ton of mud everywhere.

I may have been just as excited as the kids! Sidenote: why did I decide to wear my hair down when it was about 103 heat index?

Dairy cows!! I did not know this, but he said when these guys get old they are the best hamburger you'll ever eat, but nothing else. He said when he started farming. some 40 years ago, he tried to get a roast off a dairy cow, and it was no good. Interesting little farm life factoid.

The farmer said they go out and get to roam for a couple hours a day, but when he brings them back in they come right into the fences and position themselves- some even take the same stall each time! I pictured them having to wrangle the cows into the spaces... how cool they just do it on their own. Also, this area was nice and cool with tons of fans, water, air conditioning. Spoiled little ladies.

The boys loved this "brown" one. The farmer called him "red."

And back to the babies for one more dose of cuteness.

Both boys left wanting to be farmers when they grow up!  I said, "Me, too!" We went straight to fireworks from here...

Most Patient Pooch

We have THE most patient and gentle dog ever. Today, she is spending the day in Hunter's pajama shirt. Poor thing.

lol. She gives, up.