Thursday Thirteen #6 Fireworks Shots

I LOVE this new header for Thursday Thirteen, courtesy of Phoenix through the Thursday Thirteen Host Site. Check it Out.

Anyway, on to this week's business. I am quite sure this will be a popular topic but I still thought it was kind of cool. I discovered the "fireworks" setting on my camera but never knew how to use it. I decided to experiment with it last Friday and ended up with some neat shots.

It was kind of a struggle because Aaron doesn't really like fireworks and was trying to hide in my shirt the whole time. I finally had to pass him off to hubby in order to get some good shots.

Can you say, "skewed priorities?"

So here are 13 of my favorite shots from Friday night.


















































































































I just noticed when I previewed this post that there are only 12. I must have missed one in the transfer. Let's call that double on 2, shall we?

How To Lose 6 Hours

Here's the Equation...

1 Baby, 1 Toddler, 1 preschooler, 2 Kindergarteners, 2 elementary students, 1 preteen, 3 moms, and 1 dad

Six Hours until it's dark and they start fireworks

That's a lot of time...

What should we do?

Throw a frisbee














Throw a football














Open a present














Play with chalk in 3D



















Take a walk hand in hand



















Show off your "coolness" at the park



















Listen to other's shoot off "illegals" and watch Aaron protest



















Dance














Color














Blow bubbles



















Play ring aroudn the rosy














Dance again














Snuggle for a family photo














Get the Daddy to dance














Finally... Settle in for the show




















p.s. There was also a first lost tooth in the mix but that's Deb's story to tell

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday # 19 Father's Day Tradition on Saturday

Noah concentrates...
















While Aaron ponders.














Sometimes Aaron's form leaves a little something to be desired...














While Noah sinks it in.
















And you gotta love a hole that the kids are so fascinated with that they repeat the same one OVER AND OVER again until the next group catches up with us.















For the record, I beat Steve by a lot (which never happens) and Steve says we're not going next year unless he gets more practice.

Weekend in Review

It was a busy Father's Day weekend. The boys got Daddy a couple of fun gifts. Aaron kept trying to tell Steve what he was getting. I guess that is one advantage to his not speaking quite clearly yet. Steve didn't have a clue what he was saying so the surprise was not spoiled.

The boys decorated Daddy's wrapping on the present themselves and were VERY proud.














And they can't wait to get outside and try the present that Daddy got.














Usually I get him some kind of fun Daddy tee shirt for Father's day and I couldn't resist this hat/shirt set when I saw it.














My brother's family was in town all week but we didn't get a chance to see them until this weekend. Saturday morning we met for picnic at the park and then some swimming at a little local beach. Once again, my sunscreen didn't "take" and I got quite severely burned along one of my armpits. Steve was sweet to run out and get me aloe at 10:00 Saturday night.

Princess Kira loved sharing the riding toys at the park with both Noah...














and Aaron.














Odin played harder in the water than I have seen him before. He had so much fun and even when he was shivering, he and Noah stayed in to play just a little bit longer.



Noah on left, Odin on right










The boys had fun playing with more cousins at Steve's brother's lake house today but unfortunately, my camera was AWOL. Maybe next weekend. For the most part the weather was beautiful and we seem to be getting lucky on the weekends between storms.

Of course, a fun evening HAS to end with ice cream with eyes in it.



















Looking at a busy week. We're babysitting two more days this week and I really need to get in touch with my doctor. I was quite uncomfortable all day and I think I may be ready to admit that we need to search further for the underlying causes of this aching.

Did anyone else hear this quote this weekend (or on Mother's Day)...

"Mommy, why can't there be a KID'S Day?"

I will share pictures from our other adventure Saturday night for Wordless Wednesday. Stay tuned...

Have a great Monday.

Daddy's 6th Father's Day

This Sunday is the day we honor our fathers. I know I posted a bunch of pictures of Steve on his birthday back in March, but I thought it might be fun to do a few more. I ran into a little trouble at one point, not sure which baby he is holding in a few of them. It's a good thing they were dated.

2002: Daddy with Baby Noah. He wasn't comfortable holding newborn Noah without the boppy in his lap, but look at that smile.














2003: Playing with Noah and a big ball














2004: A lot more comfortable swinging a newborn around with Baby Aaron



















2004: Toddler Noah at the beach



















2005: Geo Trax with Noah.














2005: Vacation snuggle with Aaron














2006: Pool with Noah














2006: Beach with Aaron














2007: Parade with Noah



















2007: Apple picking with Aaron



















2008: St. Louis Zoo with Noah



















2008: Playing with Aaron















Grandpas are daddies too



Grandpa B with Baby Noah


















Papa W with Noah














Grandpa B with Aaron
















Papa W with Aaron














Happy Daddy's Day, Everyone!