UPDATE: Fourth of July

For Independence Day, Todd and I decided to visit Sarena and Adam and their family for the last time in Connecticut.  Sarena planned an awesome vacation for us packed with fun activities.  On July 3rd, we went to this cool little place called Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum with colonial houses and historians in reenactment costumes.  We dressed in our America attire and headed out.  

Adam held Sienna a large majority of the day, an arrangement both parties were very happy with. Meanwhile, Elliana had an awesome time playing with her cousins.

Kenz was awesome and spent some quality time watching Sienna too.

Watching the juggler/comedy show!

Playing while waiting for the fire works.

Sienna was so content with Adam.  He is such a good uncle.

Everyone so happy.

I got a little emotional as we all sat there together watching the fireworks, which were really good by the way.  Everyone was so happy, Sienna content, Elli sitting sweetly in my lap, Todd right next to me, loved ones all around.  I felt very touched thinking of how much the Lord has blessed me in my life, and mostly how blessed I am to have such an amazing family near and far.   Sitting there beneath the sparkles and lights made me appreciate all the love I have in my life and how happy we are to be Americans. We really are such a blessed nation.  I also feel blessed to have the chance to live abroad right now, too, and experience new cultures, but I will always love our home, and be grateful for it.

The next day we had the opportunity to hike to a waterfall and enjoy family time in nature.

While walking over the part you see at the top, Makenzie slipped and fell on her back and slid right off the side of the rock face into the water.  It was quite scary but she came out of the water smiling.  Well of course that made Todd, Jared, Karinn all jump in, although from a slightly easier angle.

Conquerers of the slippery rock!

Karinn and Jared's simultaneous leap.  Notice Jared in white right above Karinn.

Elliana and Sarena bonded outside of the water!

This is a funny pic- our make shift crib for Sienna while we stayed at the Sharps'.

Kenz decorated this cake for the Fourth of July festivities. Awesome job huh!

We played games and enjoyed some great family time.

Todd might have lost, horribly. 

Because thats what he does- he loses or pretends to win, but really cheats.  (This is Todd here: Heather had just lost to me in a board game when she typed this.)

 

Elli just loved hanging out with Jared and Karinn.

Elli had her first chance to do her own fireworks.  The sparklers scared her and thrilled her all at once.

We also got to go to Six flags over New England but had so much fun that we forgot to take pictures.  Sarena was amazing and watched the girls the majority of the time so Todd and I could enjoy all the adult rides.  It was awesome.  There was one ride that i almost blacked out-- IT WAS GREAT!  We had a fabulous time the whole weekend, our only regret was not being able to see Trevor since he was away at Boot Camp for the week.  We love our family and are sad we no longer live close to anyone now.  But Sarena and Adam are planning on visiting us here-- so YAY!

Happy Independence Day- From this All American Family (minus Todd ... he was taking the picture).