Happy 4th of July!

Well, our Independence Day was very atypical here in Kentucky.  Were it not for God's promise so long ago, I would have been heading to Lowe's to buy the lumber to start to build my family's ark.  It truly rained ALL day Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  And it was a "good, soaking rain" as people in my neck of the woods refer to it.
 

We headed to Jonathon and Lorie's house for our annual 4th of July pool party, cookout, and fireworks.  The only difference this year was that we cooked in (instead of out), watched the pool almost overflow from the rain (from inside), and watched fireworks from New York City on TV.  Hey, at least we turned out the lights when we watched them...for better visibility :)

We always have fun with the Stinson gang, though, whatever the weather may bring.

When the sun finally started shining again, we headed to my home church, in Auburn, for the 4th festivities there.  Now who could resist a brownie from this cutie? 

 When your 81 year old great-grandfather can climb up the slide inflatable and slide down with you, well...that's just pretty cool.

The topic of the evening seemed to be how much Canaan looks like his Daddy.  This doesn't make Justin proud at all, as you can imagine.  Canaan loved taking in the action of the evening.  This is one boy who LOVES to be held.  This is not my fault at all.  Sarcasm dripping from my fingertips....

One major indulgence for our family, in the summertime, is homemade ice cream.  This is really something we do with Justin's parents verrrry often.  There have been a couple of weeks, this summer, where we have made homemade ice cream twice in one week even.  Not good for the waistline, but so tasty. 

Homemade ice cream reminds me of my childhood at my home church.  Every so often, after Sunday night church in the summertime, we would have "ice cream socials."  Several of the older ladies in church would bring different flavors of ice cream and we could hardly wait to scoop out our flavor of choice.  I think the cold ice cream felt super good on Canaan's gums.  He loved the ice cream so much that we finally had to cut him off.

We had such a fun night, and what a relief it was from the rainy few days prior to the evening.  Can't think of a better way to celebrate our great country's independence!  Happy 4th, everyone!