Family Reunion - 4th of July

To prepare for company on the 4th of July, the girls got busy cooking with Gramma! Pizza had been ordered from Irene's and Ashlyn and Kierie were taking care of dessert, with some help. Ward was enlisted to crush the peppermint candies and Gramma took care of the rest. Ashlyn and Gramma made some delicious peppermint and almond bark. Of course they had to taste test it to make sure that it was safe for the rest of us.
Kierie and Gramma made yummy rice crispy treats. AJ came over under the guise of wanting to help but really just ate the marshmallows until he was kicked out of the kitchen.
After pizza, the kids put on a talent show. The girls colored a picture and AJ (with Dad's help) demonstrated his airplane skills.
Matthew provided the grand finale dancing.
Sophia saw and loved her first fireworks down at the mill overlooking the lake. We thought she might be bothered by the loud booms, but she loved every minute of the show.

Don't Steph and JJ make a cute couple

After most of the clan had headed home, Steph and JJ went off for a ride in the T-Bird.
Gramma found some of Auntie Steph's dresses from when she was a baby, so Sophia had some dress up time. This blue dress from Aunt Libby matched Sophia's eyes perfectly. What a pretty dress for a pretty girl!





On our last day in the UP, after the cousins had all gone home, Sophia and Mommy had some snuggle time on the hammock with her new blanket from Auntie Marie. It was perfect for keeping the bugs off.
Sophia and Uncle Matt- she's a bit unhappy that he just told her she's too little to go shooting with the boys.
Fun times on Uncle Nate's shoulders. Too bad he doesn't have as much hair as Daddy- hard to get a good handful!


Precious cargo! Sophia was a great traveler, but we were all tired by the time we got home. we had to get up at 3:45 am to make it to our flight in Marquette and then we had a 2 hours layover in Milwaukee. We were glad to finally be home by the time the whole day was over.