With an extended holiday weekend, I had a great time playing with my family for the past three days. Exhausting, but fun. All of my cousins from both Minnesota & Ohio (and here in Illinois) were in town with all their kids! We spent our time swimming, playing mini golf, snacking, playing games, eating pie, flea marketing, more games, more pie, watching fireworks and a great campfire… complete with s’mores!!! Of course.

After some fun in the park, the sun finally set and we were ready for the fireworks to start. Wonder if that water tower is going to get in the way?… Hmmm…

A little bit, but not too bad… the fireworks were spectacular!

After the fireworks, we returned to my Aunt’s house for a campfire in the backyard. Okay, so she didn’t have a fire pit a few hours ago… but leave it to our Eagle Scouts to make an impromptu pit for our flaming fun!!! And not a little fire either… we had a full-fledged inferno going on. And some great coals in the making – perfect for s’mores!

Yesterday, on the Fifth, everyone was packing up and getting ready to head home. So we squeezed in some quick family photos… including this one with my Aunt Marilyn with all of her kids & grandkids!!!

And my cousin David from Ohio with his family. Including Clark in the center who will be headed off to college in the Fall.

Cousin Kim with her Mom… my Aunt Marilyn.

Three longtime friends in Red, White & Blue… Aunt Marilyn in red, Liz in blue & Betty in white.

Unfortunately… I somehow made it home without a picture of the Minnesota Wicks family?! I got plenty of their goofy kids, but not a nice “family portrait”? Sorry. Guess we’ll have to get one next year…

All in all, another wonderful Fourth of July. Lots of fun with the kids. Always good to play with the family for an extended weekend of fun!!!