4th of July 2008

We decided to have our own little fireworks show this year at Kathy's parents house instead of braving the crowd (with a sick Kathy) at the Hummel Park show in town. We first grilled some steaks and celebrated Jared's 10th birthday. Later came the show. Kathy's Dad bought a number of recreational explosive products for us to launch into the air off after dark from the driveway. We also had fun prior to sundown playing with sparklers, poppers, firecrackers, and spinners. The kids (including Justin) had a blast playing with the sparklers and helping to pick which firework would be lit next. Our "grand finale" was a device the size of a gallon milk jug that launched a fountain of colored pyrotechnics out of the center and then ten tube-launched bursts into the air. We enjoyed watching other homemade firework shows in the neighborhood and later returned home to view some ongoing shows from our back deck. One of our neices (Alisa, age 11) flew back from Arizona with Luaren last Tuesday and is staying with G&G until the 15th. The day after the 4th, Grandpa and I took Alisa and the kids to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis.

Jared's Family Birthday 2008

We celebrated Jared's birthday as a family on July 4th at his grandparent's house. He will be having a separate friend sleepover party on the 11th. We figured that this year Jared was old enough to get his first pocket knife and an air pistol for his birthday. He nearly soiled himself when he opened those two gifts, as we have been telling him that he is not old enough or responsible enough yet for these boyhood treasures. Jared still loves anything Star Wars and also got a figure set for his birthday that Daddy found at the Star Wars hobby shop in town. Lauren made and decorated Jared's birthday cake (including homemade frosting) all by herself!

Daddy and Jared have since been (carefully) using the air pistol to shoot down various targets (including Lego dudes) at our makeshift "shooting range" in our basement at home.

Jared Cub Camp 2008

Jared had Cub Day Camp from June 23rd through June 26th at Camp Belzer located east of Indianapolis. Jared and 7 other boys from our ward enjoyed archery, BB gun shooting, swimming, crafts, river rafting in canoes, obstacle courses and other activities. Jared's father chaperoned Jared and the Webelos den the final day of the camp, and in spite of the humid heat, he had a great time with his son.

June 2008 Flooding

Our neighborhood was lucky compared to other parts of Indiana that were effected by tornadoes and much worse flooding the first week of June. We had about 1 foot of water in the back portion of our yard after heavy rains on July 7th when one of the drains in our neighborhood located at the edge of our property backed up. The main road behind our house was blocked-off by the police department for a couple of hours when the intersection next to our street became too deep to drive through. All of the children in the neighborhood (including our own) eventually came out to play in the water.

Jared is pictured at the back of our property next to a police car in one of these photos. Another photo shows a long-eared casualty of the flooding that got caught in our fence. As the man of the house, it was Daddy's "responsiblity" to dispose of this unfortunate critter. Daddy didn't feel too bad for the rabbit, as it was probably one of the neighborhood critters that had been helping itself to our garden lately!