Remembering the 4th!

As usual...the fourth of July is a big celebration in the RedSock family...

We've always celebrated, even when we didn't have the river as a background...

As far back as 2007, we had about 60 people chowing out on our patio at the House on the Hill...

So this year's 35 guests could be considered a small, intimate gathering!

But first, we needed to do a few things to get ready...

Remember when I told you the end of the dock was under water???

It still was high when Andy and Tony went to build new steps down the hill to the river...

I wasn't there the first night, when Andy and Tony started the work...

The next night, I met Tony out there, to watch him work...

Hard to believe, how quickly things went together...

And how great they look!

All that is left to do is connect the end of the dock (still underwater)

and the stairs...

But we were ready enough!

This year, we had a taco party.

I was tickled to see how many people came.

Most of Mark's family came...

 

 

We had my kids and their friends...

Their friend's kids...

 

This is Caleb, who was so much fun...even when he threatened to

jump off the deck (and give Ashley a heart attack).

 

Our Star Guest, of course, was...

 

 

Locklan!

 

Who slept through the first hours of the party...

 

And soon woke...

 

And captured the hearts (and laps) of his family...

 

And then let Daddy carry him around!

 

 

And of course, our four legged family members...

The water was too high and moving too quickly for the pedal boat...

But Andy had the kayaks ready...

 

 

Some people decided to float around...

 

 

Andy's friend, Cody, made us home made ice cream!

 

 

 

 

Andy and Locklan enjoyed the dock!

 

 

 

And the wonderful sunset!

 

 

 

 

As soon as the sun went down...

 

A camp fire and...

 

BooM!

 

Fireworks!

 

 

 Over the river!

 

 

We loved them, but the dogs...

 

Not so much...

 

We hated to see the day end, but luckily it was only Saturday.

 

On Sunday, the guys decided to take the kayaks out...

 

Andy walked down the stairs, dragging his...

 

 

 

 

Tony, on the other hand...

 

 

Decided the easiest way was to ride his down the hill...

 

 

 

It worked!

 

 

We had a blast...

 

And to think, we didn't even put the real boat in the water!

 

The weather has been so bad, the river so fast and full of junk...

 

But Shirley is ready...

 

 

With her life jacket!

 

Maybe next weekend.