Today, we played outside at our house. Holly, finally released from her festival duties, came over to see everyone. The kids played on the swings, in the sandbox, in the pool, and on the Power Wheels. We took a break from all the cooking and cleaning up and ordered Chinese food. Again, it would have been a nicer day if everyone hadn't been so darn tired and/or sick. All in all, a fun weekend and worth the exhaustion.

We're buying a kitchen table, and in true Jen fashion, I'm trying to make a decision. I took pictures of some of the options.

Fourth of July is always a big party at the Dooms. There were probably forty people here, including lots of Doom family and my family. The many kids had a great time playing on the beach, or riding the jet ski, or riding the pontoon boat and jumping off into the lake.

Xander can drive the jet ski by himself, completely without any help. Obviously he is required to have an adult on the jet ski with him, but the adult doesn't need to do a thing. He's going to be very disappointed when he gets old enough to realize that he can't drive it alone for many years. Poor precocious kid.

As usual, the people across the lake very generously purchase and put on a wonderful fireworks display. We watch from the comfort of the Dooms' patio, next to a roaring fire and lots of snacks. My dad took some pictures of the fireworks with my new camera.