Memorial Day Hoop-Lah!

We spent Memorial Day weekend at my parents' house with my brother and his family. We had a grand time! The day of the Texans' arrival was Emerie's 7th birthday, so we had a spaghetti dinner and teddy bear cake in honor of her. (In fact, you can see remnants of dinner on the corners of Corwin's mouth.)

The next day we spent at my grandparents' house visiting with them. We thoroughly enjoyed their company, and I'm sure they were thrilled when we left and took our kids home. Peace had finally been restored to their home. :)

The next morning we picked gooseberries for a gooseberry pie. If you've never had a gooseberry pie, you are definitely missing out on something extraordinary. Mmmmm.... The kids didn't last long at the harvest. They quickly found out that the gooseberry bush has thorns, and didn't care for the poking.

Owen enjoyed his share of gooseberries fresh from the bush. F.Y.I. Fresh, green gooseberries are extremely sour. That didn't phase my little eater.

Later that morning we went to my Grandpa's hometown and toured his old stomping grounds. We also visited the grave sites of several of our family members that are buried there. It was a very pleasant trip.

That evening, Cousin Silas and Cousin Wesley came over for a cookout. We enjoyed hamburgers...

...Gator rides...

...little Gator rides...

...Silas brought over his 4-wheeler...
(that's Corwin inside that big helmet)

...and fireworks. (I know. You can't see, but they're each getting their share of Snap Dragons right here.) We had bottle rockets, smoke bombs, and lots of fountains that we shot off.

That night, Silas stayed the night, and we all got up and went to church Sunday morning.

After church, we went to Table Rock Lake where Aunt Pam and Uncle Gary were camped. The kids got in the COLD water and swam for an hour or two.

The swim/picnic area was flooded because of the recent rains, but that made it even more fun!

Then we went back to the camp site and enjoyed the amazing weather, good conversation, grilled hot dogs, and fire-roasted s'mores. Good times!

It all ended too quickly, because the E-Team had to go home Monday morning. But, it was a great weekend, and Corwin and Owen are already missing their cousins. 'Til next time!