CELEBRATION!!!

Last night before the fireworks we had everyone over and had a cookout. It was really a fun time with lots of yummy food. While the hamburgers and hot dogs were being grilled and we were getting the food ready, we let the kids play in the trailer for a while. They thought that was great and had a lot of fun--they also ate their dinner in there. Afterwards we did a few little fireworks in the road in front of the house and then we sat across the street in the neighbor's driveway and watched the fireworks. We all had a lot of fun!!!

TRADITIONS!!!

Every year since the kids were pretty little, we have built an ice skating pond in our back yard. This year was no exception! On New Year's Eve some of the kids donned the snowshoes and packed down some of the back yard. A few days later, most of the kids got in on the action. We had snowshoed kids and husband all over the back yard stomping down the snow so that we could get started spraying. Jon took the responsibility this year of spraying the pond several times a day, and about a week or so ago, we had success! The back yard was turnedinto a winter playground. The grandkids have loved being pulled around on the sleds and attempting to learn to skate. The older guys have played hockey and skated, and we have had a few tumbles on the ice as well. But all in all, it has been such a fun time for all!!

Another tradition is shoveling the snow off the ice when we get a snowstorm. That isn't as fun as skating and playing hockey, but it is a necessary part of the action. Today we got about four inches of snow and Anne-Marie and the kids went out to shovel off the ice. Barring another snowstorm, the ice is ready for another week of adventure.

Yay for traditions!! Let's make some more!