I finally finished our Italy trip book! You can see it all below:

Italy by By: Sam and Jodi Smith | Make Your Own Book

4th of July Fireworks!

My sister invited us all over to her house for pizza and fireworks the night of the 4th. We joined them and their great neighbors for an evening of loud noise and great color!

Below, is the first picture of "Abatar Man." Tiff found him in the van and he became our experiment for the night.

And Abatar Man is on fire! Well, the firecracker strapped to his back sure is!

He rolled across the concrete for a bit, but he wasn't harmed much from this first experiment.

Next, Sam shot Abatar Man out of a carpet roll with a little bit more fire power. If you look closely you can see him just shooting out of the top.

He got a little damage this time.

This was the spinning ladybug.....
...who smoked.....

......and flew!!!

Abatar Man is having a rough night.

Still a bit early for sparklers, but they were so excited they could not wait any longer.

Collin looks a bit nervous shooting that popper at me, but my quick trigger finger caught the explosion of color.

Auburn colored smoke bombs. :)

He is wishing this night would finally end.

Finally dark enough for the sparklers!

The boys were having lots of fun lighting the M90 explosive thingys. I can't remember exactly what they were called. Tiff threw one into the emergency bucket of water and the bucket BURST! Water flooding directly into the brown paper sack with all the unused firecrackers in it. This blurry image is Sam racing to rescue the goods.

water damage.....

O yes. The louder the noises and the thicker the smoke just meant more and more fun. I don't know if the kids or the daddies had a better time!

Thanks Jax and B for having us over. A GREAT great night!

Water War number 4 !!!

The 4th of July is such a fun holiday! For many years we spent it in Alabama, having fun with our extended family. This is the first time in a long time we have been close enough to resume that tradition.

Sam started a new tradition though, his delicious skillet burgers! Though I don't think his mom was thrilled when he smoked up her house. Those were some really good burgers though!

My beautiful nephew, Noah, and his gorgeous two colored eyes!

After eating a huge lunch, I led all the cousins onto the front porch to get some pictures. The adults were "up to something" in the backyard and it was up to me to keep them occupied for a few minutes. We took all sorts of crazy pictures! Like pretending to be asleep.....

And laughing gout loud......

and jumping.......

Collin and Kaitlynn clued in first, and took off running!

But it was to late!
The 4th annual Smith family summer water war had officially begun!

This is Sam, my sister-in-law's mother. She started the tradition 4 years ago and we are SO glad!

It truly is a free for all! See the feet in the air? This was Chris. A doctor friend that Sam's sister Erin invited over for the first time! Christopher knocked him into the pool. I don't think he was expecting to get so wet.

Blake was loving it!

Brooke was having a grand time too!

I don't think Uncle B wanted that in his face.

JuJu really gets into it and we LOVE it!

Each year her photograph is the best!

The group shot!

My dad and my sister stayed inside for the war. CHICKENS!!!

What happens AFTER the war? CUPCAKES

Once a summer the kids get to ride on Poppa's motorcycle. Every year Tiff backs out at the last moment. This year HE DID IT!

This little red bike was bought when Collin was a toddler. It has been through every grandchild.

And that tells the story of our most favorite summer tradition. I hope it is something that we not only continue, but that our kids always remember and tell their own kids about. And hopefully continue the tradition for generations to come!