July 4th

Yes, I realize that it is now almost August and I am just posting pics from our activities on the 4th. But hey, better late than never, right? Right?

We left for Dan's parents' house on Thursday evening since Dan had off on Friday. On Friday, we went in to Willmar where Ellie and I went to the fabric warehouse to get fabric to make me a few skirts. Then we went to Dunn Brothers for coffee. Well, I got coffee and Ellie got hot chocolate (she's a little young for coffee). Dan and his dad "had" to make a trip to Best Buy (Dan loves to spend other people's money) while Beth and the other kids went to the laundromat and the park (?--see, I shouldn't wait so long to post--my memory gets a little fuzzy). Afterwards we all met at Pizza Ranch for lunch. After lunch we went back to Prinsburg and Darin learned how to ride his bike without his training wheels. He was literally giggling with glee once he was biking without help. Unfortunately he hasn't had much of a chance to ride here.



On Friday evening friends of ours arrived to spend the weekend with us. Friday night the town had fireworks and on Saturday they have lots of activities starting off with an adult and a kids run.

Natalie ran her heart out.



Here is Kara with her friend O. O comes from a family of runners.



Look at these long legs. Pretty soon she is going to be taller than me.





In the afternoon they had a tractor pull and an area with several blow-up toys.











Darin desperately wanted to go on this activity but was having a hard time finding someone close to his size to agree to go on it with him. Finally, Ellie agreed to go on it with him even though she's much larger than he is. It was hilarious to watch. Darin couldn't stand up for more than a few seconds. All Ellie had to do was tap him and he'd fall over, giggling.





Here he is standing up!



Not any more!!



After all of the festivities of the day, they had a parade. The kids got to ride on the float that the street that Dan's parents live on designed. They had fun, but who thought it would be a good idea to have winter in July!?!? At least they didn't have to wear parkas and snowpants.