The 4th Weekend Continues with Fishing!

 We purchased a family fishing license, some bait, and misc fishing supplies and were off to the little park south of Luverne for the afternoon.

 The fish were biting- but none were very large.

 After church pictures...

 Owen's first catch!

 Ava's first big catch!

 Daddy's big catch

We enjoyed a beautiful day fishing as a family.  It was a lot for Brad to keep up with keeping worms on our hooks and getting lines untangled from various objects (and when I accidentally cast into a tree), but he was great.  The kids had lots of fun although I didn't bring quite enough snacks.  Although our catch was small, Brad still cleaned our 6 little fish and fried them for lunch the next day for the kids (barely enough to feed them).  The kids thought it was great!  Even Owen, who doesn't claim to like fish, ate his "chicken". 

Happy 4th of July!

Daddy was in charge of pictures this year, so he got some great shots of the growing garden in addition to our little firecrackers!

 This was "silly faces"

 Evening fire before the fireworks start

 Sparklers!

 Aunt Lori & Ava

 My attempt at a star hairstyle

 4th of July Tractor Pull at Pioneer Village.  Owen loved the "put puts".

 Touring Pioneer Village (Joyce, Lori, James & Ava)

 The train caboose- the kids loved this!

 They liked the upper look out area of the caboose the best!

 At the blacksmith shop with Grandpa Glenn- Ava got her own little horseshoe!

We had a great 4th this year.  We started out the day at Pioneer Village with Gary & Joyce, Lori & James, and Mom & Dad.  After we were through with the tractor pull and touring the buildings, everyone came over to our house (along with Joe) and we had ribs, potatoes, and asparagus on the grill.  Then we all watched our neighbors set off TONS of fireworks.  It was better than any town show I've seen.  The kids loved the snaps and sparklers.  Ava liked to hang out in the garage during the fireworks because, again, she thinks they are too loud.  Owen did better and spent most of the time on my lap with his hands over his ears.  At least he watched!  Oh and of course- we had smores! Great night!

Pioneer Spray Park SF

 It seems we haven't gotten to just enjoy summer much this year.  I woke up one morning and saw the forecast was supposed to be nice.  We packed up a picnic and headed to Sioux Falls to a spray park I had heard about. 

 After we had our picnic in the park right next to the water area, we changed into our suits and started getting wet.

 The kids loved it!

We will be going back again.  The kids already asked several times.  The best part is that it is free!

VanMeeteren Family Get Together at Shelly's....

 We started out early in the day with an attempt at a family picture.  I use the word attempt loosely.  Lots of struggling here.

 My favorite in this one is Zach's face and Owen grabbing his crotch.

 Toby & Owen in the boat

 Ava trying out the board

 Reese loves the water and is right out with the big kids!

 Owen took a while to jump off the board the first few times, but then he was loving it!

 Toby!

 Here is Owen's big jump!

 And his hilarious face he made every time when he came up out of the water!

 Ava & Addie (with a neighbor girl) blowing air in their swimsuit tops!  Oh dear!!

 Jason & Reese

 Jason is training her early!

We enjoyed a great pool/barbeque get together at Shelly & Jason's house on Sandy's last day here.  The weather was a little chilly at first, but turned out great.  The kids had so much fun swimming and playing together.  Sad it will be a whole year again before we will all be together!