Explosions of Fun!

This year for the 4th of July, we had a big, bang, boom celebration with the Clayton clan! 

Since we had to head home early on old glory's big day we celebrated the day before by relaxing on the lake! 

Kason has tubed one time before when he was under two, but hasn't been again since and the other three tubed for their first time...

Daniel had the honors of sharing the tube with all four munchkins :). Thane was a little undecided the whole ride, even when he tried again with his parents...

Zoe enjoyed herself and Kason, well he went about 5 times that weekend so I guess we can say it was a hit! One time Daniel and I tubed with Kason together which was pretty fun too. As for Max, well this mom and dad are a little crazy because we want him to have as normal of a childhood as possible...so we let him jump on the tube too!

 I'm fairly certain he had the most fun out of all the kids...

 He honestly smiled and laughed the entire time he was on the tube...

it was sooooo much fun to see! I'm so glad that he enjoyed himself so much on the tube because he wasn't feeling the boat ride this time around and pretty much cried the whole time...

 therefore, Nana was super sweet to head back to the house with the littlest ones so us big kids could play :)!

 I'm even proud to say this momma tried skiing for the first time since she was a kid...and my oh my, it was fun but I'm now super sore...haha! After our day at the lake, Nana and Aunt Michelle invited extended family over for a cookout and fireworks...

 along with celebrating cousin Clay's big 5-0 birthday!

The weather was beautiful and just cool enough to let the kids run around before these pint sized patriots dabbled in pyrotechnics. 

I think my favorite part of the night was when the dad's busted out the fireworks! We started warming up the kids with the oh so classic...

They all four had a great time throwing them down...

and even stomping on the ones that didn't already boom!

 Max even found himself giggling with throwing the poppers and amazed at the sparklers...

 Kason had a blast with the sparklers...

while little lady wasn't too impressed...

haha! She kept holding them because Daniel kept giving them to her, but she wasn't real thrilled about them as you can see! Thane on the other hand was mesmerized by the flame...

When DB and Dad got out the bigger fireworks, all the kids were in awe...

 Kason especially loved that Daniel let him try his hand at lighting the firecrackers...eeek!

 Boy was he geeked up and super proud of himself...feeling like big man on campus :)!

 Kason also had a great time staying up extra late too!

 The next morning, 4th of July morning, in true Clayton Crew fashion I created a holiday themed breakfast for the red, white, and blue cuties...

 I made breakfast firecrackers...

 the boys even helped me make their firecracker place mats the day before...

to decorate the table with.

 I know the five of us especially loved having family around to celebrate with this weekend...

and a big thank you goes to Nana and Pops for hosting us!

So from our little firecrackers to yours, we hope you had a very sparkly 4th of July!