The holiday weekend really started on July 3rd. Kathy and Kasey came over to spend the long holiday weekend. We missed Kasey's birthday a few weeks before, so we got a small cake and wrapped up her present to celebrate. We got her a star doll that she asked for. I think she liked it because the doll's pajamas were shaped like a star and they glow in the dark. Each doll allows the child to name a real star in the sky. The coordinates are picked out and in the paperwork in the package. She can name the star whatever she likes and register it with the Official Star Registry. She hasn't named it as of this time. See Pictures from Kasey's Birthday

While we were eating Kasey's birthday cake, we told the story of how one time when Corey was a little bratty, Shannon held Corey down and I put peanut butter on his toe. Then we had Taylor lick it off. This had the kids saying they wanted to do that to Shannon. The chased him into the bedroom and Corey planned to handcuff him and tie him down while they put peanut button on his toes. Click here to see what happened.

We woke up early on 4th of July morning to go to the Sauganash Parade at my mom's house. Every year she and Mrs. Keane put out breakfast for the neighbors. The kids didn't want to decorate their bikes and ride in the parade this year because they wanted to stand by and collect the candy that was thrown out. Click here to see the parade.

After the parade, we came back to our place. Shannon set up the Slip and Slide for the kids to play in the yard and cool off. The neighbor kids, Jared and Sienna, got on their suits and joined in the fun. See pictures of kids slipping and sliding to witness the fun they had.

Nancy and Jeff invited us all over for dinner the night of the 4th. They had about 20 people and the kids got to swim in the pool. It was very hot and sticky that afternoon so they were in the pool most of the time. See pictures from the barbeque.

After filling up on pork chops and the kids exhausting themselves in the pool, it was time to head back to mom's to shoot off some fireworks. Shannon, Corey, Breanna and I picked out a shopping cart full of fireworks one night when we were dropping them off in Indiana in early June. We didn't know what we were buying, but it was buy one get one free so we chose a varied selection. This year we paid attention and know what we want to get for next year. See us doing fireworks.

The rest of the weekend we spent bumming around the house, playing with the kids, going on a nature walk in the forest, and visiting the Field Museum to see the Eternal Egypt and Baseball in America exhibits. See other pictures from our weekend .