The Bean's Know How to Party

As I mentioned earlier, we were lucky to have lots of family around on the 4th of July. Both my parents and Rick's parents came, plus my sister and her family. Rick's brother, Jeff came solo because Krissy and the kids were in Omaha.


Rick and I had lots of fun together planning the festivities. I must say, we really know how to party. We must have looked like complete dorks to our drunk neighbors who were having their own shindig next door. At least they were drunk enough that they wouldn't remember how nerdy we were.


After the parade, the kids cooled down in the pool and the sprinkler. We had popsicles and just enjoyed each other's company.

Baby Carmen is hardly a baby anymore! She's getting so big!

After we got tired of talking to each other, the real fun began. First, the kids got to do a whipped cream fight. They didn't know about this, and the look on their faces as we handed them each their own cans and explained what we were going to do what priceless. By the way, I totally stole this idea from my friend, Teri.

We also did a couple rounds of a water balloon toss. I haven't done that in years and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. If only I were a little better at it...

Bob and Cathy proved to be the best tossers. They totally cheated. I can say that because they don't read my blog and it leaves them defenseless.

Rick and Gwen worked hard not making one, but two pinatas. One for the adults and one for the kids. I loved how they made one to look like my Dad.

I love how Eric is more focus on the box of nerds in his hand rather than the pinata.

When I start to get senile in 40 years, (earlier if I take after my mom- ha!) I will wonder who some of these kids are in the background. They are actually guests of my next door neighbors. Apparently, the adults thought the kids would enjoy watching them drink all day. We decided to be nice and let them participate in the water balloon toss and the pinata. Although, I didn't let them get quite as much candy as my cute daughter, niece and nephews. Especially since one of the kids was slightly on the rude side. My charity has it's limits.

We kept dinner simple and snacked on hot dogs, finger jello, a green salad, and potato salad. We also enjoyed rootbeer floats made from homemade rootbeer later in the evening.

Being in a cul-de-sac has it's advantages on the 4th of July. All of the fireworks are concentrated to one area right in the middle and there is quite a show. We also learned that this is a disadvantage. The fireworks soon become too close for comfort and the decision making skills on the part of the drunken neighbors left something to be desired. We called it a night a little earlier than usually and brought our little ones safely inside. We enjoyed the rest of the show from the upstairs window. Luckily, the kids weren't too disappointed. Gwen stayed up until almost midnight- definitely a record for her.

I'm not sure if we will do the same thing next year. Everybody is scared of my neighbors now. Maybe they will get an invite to go to somebody else's house in 2010.