A Family Filled Fourth

We had a terrific 4th of July holiday weekend. My brother and his family came to spend the weekend with us. We always have fun with them and the kids all get along so well. Maybe it can be a yearly trip!!!

After they got here on Friday we went to the mountains and drove around Cades Cove and had a picnic.
The kids kept wanting to go on a hike.... hence the backpacks!

Braden and Aunt Cryste

One of the great mountain views during our drive

Playing in the river after the picnic

After we ate we drove to a place called Look Rock. It is about a .5 mile (paved) walk up to this big lookout tower. This was the "hike" that we did because it was paved and we could push Braden in the stroller and because it was getting dark. We got there about 2 minutes before the sun went down. Isn't this a great view??

The view from the other side of the tower.

Our family after the hike.

The Berry bunch

The whole gang

The next day we got up and went to The Lost Sea. It is an underground cave with a huge lake. It was really neat!

It was about 50 degrees down there so we took jackets.

Some of the neat cave pictures

The boat ride

Cave fun

Our family minus Braden (Rue Rue stayed at home with him.)

Then on Sunday afternoon after church we celebrated the 4th of July. We went to our next door neighbor's house and cooked out, swam, played, and shot fireworks. It was a really fun day!

Braden and his red cheeks. He is REALLY hot natured and sweats like his daddy!

Some pool time

Some chowing down time

Fireworks time

Happy 4th of July!

The kids loved the sparklers, tanks, and snakes!

After the fireworks the kids came in and wanted to watch the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks too. We had a WONDERFUL weekend!