A Stormy & Spectacular 4th!

We enjoyed a BBQ with the Jackson's mid-afternoon/evening - they are our annual July 4th buddies!  But we went our separate ways as night fell, because this year, Mike was able to get us access to the roof of his building (The Alcott just North of Mile Hi Stadium).  The thunder and lightening were really trying to compete with the 100's of firework shows around the Denver Metro area last night!  I'm not sure what was more spectacular.  We had to take a few breaks to hide in the stairwell while the rain picked up, and occasionally our hair was standing up from the electrical currents in the air but it was truly a spectacular sight to see!  And check out the sunset over the Rockies....wow!

Maryland

What a trip!  We packed so much in to 1 week.  Amanda picked us up from the airport and we headed straight for Ocean City, MD.  We knew the trip was going to be a challenge; 3 hours in a minivan with 5 kids (twin 3 month old girls, five and six year old boys and an 8 year old girl - whew!).  But we underestimated the amount of stops we were going to need.  It seemed that no one had to go to the bathroom at the same time nor were they hungry at the same time!  Lillian got to be an expert at turning Addie's feeding tube on and off and all 3 kids took turns putting pacifiers back in Addie and Charlotte's mouths.  With all the chaos and stopping - it took us almost 5 hours to get to Ocean City.  But it was all worth it! The kids got some good quality time in chasing waves, building sand castles and playing with sand crabs.  I helped them walk way far out in the ocean and "ride" the big waves - the life guard said we visited on a good year because the undertow is very low this season.  Lillian made a friend at the hotel who shared her boogie board with her.  Both Jen and Megan drove down from Delaware to visit us for the day and it was so great to see them and their kids in real life (as opposed to online!).  On our way out of town we stopped at Chincoteague Island to visit the wild horses!  Lillian has read 3 Misty Inn books in the past 3 months and she was thrilled to see the wild horses in real life.  Unfortunately, it was too hot and humid (and buggy) to spend much time outside of the van, but we got some good photos.  

Next stop, Silver Spring! Carolyn, Joseph and Lillian were so excited to see each other!  Uncle Severin introduced the kids to one of his all time favorite movies - The Princess Bride.  The sarcasm was lost on the kids at first, and Joseph and Lillian were so scared they begged him to turn it off.  But the next morning they woke up begging to see the rest and the next evening they begged to watch the whole thing again...go figure!
Margee was able to stop by and visit with her beautiful girls.  It was so great to see her again (for the last time before she turns the big 4-0!). Amanda came back to pick me up for Kelli and Bradley's stateside reception while Aunt Colleen and Uncle Sev took our 3 kids to a Summerfest.  They had so much fun - they hardly missed me!

It was great to see Kelli & Bradley again so soon!  And it was terrific to see all of Kelli's family and friends.  They had a great 2nd reception (despite the torrential rain at the beginning).