4th of July on Lake Samm

We wrapped up a wonderful 4th of July holiday yesterday.  Although so many things are still cancelled in our state, we were able to have an almost normal holiday which is such a rare treat these days.  After discussing it with Ron, he decided that he would rather stay home with Emmett on Saturday than drive up separately to the lake so that they could leave early to get home in time for Emmett's bedtime.  Ron had a very slow and relaxing Saturday afternoon and evening with Emmett and enjoyed watching the original Jaws movie that we both love, but can never watch for a family movie night because I am convinced the kids will never go swimming in the water again!  On the other hand, the three older children and I left our house at 2 p.m. and didn't get back until 11:30 that night.  We had such a fun time at Lake Samm with Chris and his family.  In addition, my parents and two of my cousins and their families joined us for the later afternoon and dinner.  We spent the afternoon playing in the water and tubing behind Uncle Gordon's boat.  We then enjoyed a huge potluck BBQ dinner with everyone before my parents and my cousins and their families left for the evening.  After waiting until the sun set (which doesn't happen until after 9 p.m. this time of year), Chris and I blew off all of our fireworks with with the help of Ella, Logan, Trenton, and Riley while the rest of the group looked on.  Although the amazing and huge firework show that takes place directly across the lake from our property was cancelled this year, we still had a great time blowing off our own fireworks and watching the beautiful display of fireworks going off all around the lake.  The evening just flew by and we didn't even finish setting off all of our own fireworks until 10 o'clock.  Time sure flies when you are having fun!  After packing up everything and heading back up to the car, we headed home at 10:45 at night.  Although I missed having Emmett and Ron with us, I was so grateful that we didn't have to worry about getting him home early or attempting to keep him up that late which would have been pure misery for Ron and me. So, it turned out to be the perfect plan for the day!

Although we normally do not use the boat at Lake Samm, Chris got permission from our cousin to take it out.  Ella, Logan, and Trenton enjoyed going on an afternoon tube ride.

Ella smiled from ear to ear the entire time!  I just can't get over how fearless she is at times.

The group heading out of the wake!

The three kids posing for me after their ride was over.

Another close-up of these three cousins.

The kids enjoyed swimming around the dock and playing on the water mat, the pedal boat, and the paddle board.  Here is Lia giving me a smile as Trenton and Logan pedal past me.

Ella asked to use the paddle board all by herself, but Riley eventually joined her.

The two groups colliding.

Ella absolutely adores Riley because he is always such a nice, older cousins who likes to play with her.  These two had a great time paddling around together.

Lia and the boys heading out past the docks.

The kids and me enjoying our BBQ dinner.

As the sun set, we broke out the sparklers first.  Here is Logan showing off one of his.

Riley and Lia combining their sparklers to create more light.

Ella twirling two sparklers at the same time.

The moon rising over Tiger Mountain.

Once it got dark, we lit all of our fountain fireworks that Chris and I had brought.  Ella and Logan took turns helping me light every single one which turned out to be so fun to have them as my assistants!