A Brower Fourth

Mason had a countdown going for the week of the Fourth.  He had another waterside day at school that Thursday and knew when I picked him up from school, we were headed to the lake.

We stopped in Corinth at Cracker Barrel for a dinner.  

The next morning we woke up to rain....lots of rain.  We had a ton of fun playing with our cousins but started getting a tad stir crazy.  

So we put on our suits when the rain started to die down and hit the water. 

Super excited to be matching. 

These two make me laugh.  They have a great time together.  

We checked the weather and it really was the best time to get on the water.  It appeared as if the rain would be breaking for an hour or two.

Twenty minutes later, we were stuck in a downpour...with five kids.  Not to mention, it was 70 degrees outside.  It was COLD.  That water on us...not lake water, RAIN.  

I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. 

But hey, we tried.  It was either keep all five kids in a house begging to tube and asking every 5 minutes when we were going on a boat, or pray the rain held off.  

The good thing was, after that experience, none of the kids asked to go on the boat the rest of the day!

And it wore us all out. 

The marina did fireworks that night so we put on our red, white, and blue. 

We grilled out and then headed down to Emily and Daniel's house.  

They have a better view of the fireworks.  

Saturday was the Fourth.  

And these guys really got into the spirit.  

We got out on the boat and had much better luck this day!  We saw no sun but no rain either.  

Showing off his muscles. 

Brody was super excited Uncle Robert let him drive.  

We met up with Emily and Daniel and they took these guys tubing.  

By this time, Brody was pooped. 

I just love this picture of John and Mason.  I mean how happy does Mason look?!

Robert and Reese were up next. 

Check out that hair.  

This trip definitely put me in 2nd place behind John.  He's just so much cooler than me now. 

Time to swim.  I don't know how many times they jumped in and out of the water. 

Reese and her Mama.

Robert walking on water. 

Brody loved swimming in the lake.  He just almost choked whoever was holding him with that death grip. 

We were finally able to eat out on the deck once it stopped raining.  

And were then able to put on the annual Kids' Parade.  This year, there may have been an audience.  I see this getting bigger and bigger in the years to come.  

Mason marching. 

Group selfie stick picture minus one of the boys. 

We were leaving Sunday, but not before some cinnamon rolls and a water balloon fight. 

Brody really loved that bandana. 

Waiting for their victims.  

I see this face at least once a day.  He got got.  

I also see this face once a day.  

Now this look was a first...

Taking one last picture before we headed out. 

Believe ir or not, we did not position them like this.  They just happened to be in the same place they sat last year.

There may not have been as much sunshine as we had hoped but it didn't matter.  We had such a fun weekend together and cannot wait until next year!  There is nothing like relaxing for a long weekend with family who just so happen to be your best friends.