4th of July Celbration

This year was the 10th Annual 4th of July "Celbration" for us.  Amazing.  It does not seem like it was 10 years ago that I invited my boyfriend's (not quite mine yet...) friends to my parents' cottage on Pewaukee Lake for the Independence Day weekend.  It's too obvious to talk about, yet so fascinating to think about - how things have changed since those first kid-free get-togethers!  The first couple years were all about what size keg to get, and now our focus is on constantly making sure every little head is accounted for.

Anyway, the last five years we've celebrated at our friend Adam's parents cabin on Lake Cokato.  It's only a little more than an hour drive, and has the perfect set-up for the kids (the oldest of whom is about to turn 8) as the water is incredibly shallow.  And with the 95+ degree temperatures we've had lately - barely cool enough to help us escape the heat.  Thermometers registered three digits all over the Twin Cities on the 4th of July!

We arrived with my parents about 10:30 in the morning, and other than short breaks for lunch, bathroom visits, and cold drink replenishment, we didn't get out of the lake until 5:30 PM.  And that was for cake - Sylvia is turning 4 soon!  Fortunately the lake, and all of the Brodd's toys, provided plenty of entertainment for young and old:

Thanks again for the fun Brodd family!  We're looking forward to #11!!