Fourth of July Family Fun

So never in a million years did I think the beach bum Howards would turn to "mountain folk" - but - we certainly are! Mom and Dad bought a run down, gross house up in Chimney Rock that EVERYONE... and I mean EVERYONE was a little worried about them purchasing.... But leave it to professional flippers, Martha B. and Hunnaaa, to do WONDERS! I keep telling them they need to submit photos to Southern Living on the dramatic transformation, but they, of course, keep laughing it off.

Thanks to Mom and Dad's hard work we have a house that is BARELY big enough to house all Howard kids, grandkids and parents! What an awesome time we have every time we go. We are all looking forward to Thanksgiving when we can all stay together in one big ol' house. This fourth of July we almost had the whole Howard crew there, but Craig and Tricia and their family were with Tricia's family for their annual beach trip. Although we missed them terribly - it makes Thanksgiving that much more enticing to look forward to!

Although it was an EXTREMELY wet weekend... We managed to have an absolute blast. Enjoy pics from our time:

It was a rainy, wet weekend... As soon as it would get dry we'd pack everyone up and head outside!

Here's a pic right in the middle of storms of us trying to get some boat time in... Look at those clouds!

Anddddddd.... as soon as we pulled off the dock - BAM! the bottom dropped out. 

These got a little out of order... but here is our knight in shining armor -- poor Jimbo got out in the pouring, and I mean POURING rain to tie us back up to the dock! Love you, Jimmers!!

The girls managed to stay dry under the covering...

The guys... not so much.... We figured they worked for their refreshing brew-ha-ha's...

Hunter ran to the car in the rain to grab -- in James' words -- "umbrella-la-las" for all the ladies...

And, I gotta share - on this particular boat trip - Fran and I found out we still got "it." Although we were both pregnant, huddled under a towel, walking slower than molasses to get to the car... A man who would probably fall under the classification of the color... "red"... yelled out, "Oh, don't worry lad'iesss... I don' thank sugaaa can melttttttt.... hah. hah." ...... EW. :) But hey - we still have it! hahaha.....

Hard to believe this sweet little angel used to take one look at Jimbo and start balling crying. I think we've come a long way. :) 

Almost the whole Howard clan... Daddy-o is taking this pic, and Craig and Tricia and their fam were at the beach, but don't you worry.... Hopefully - if sweet Caroline decides to cooperate this Thanksgiving, we should be able to get the whole crew in one photo!

It is funny how all the kids are looking any where but the same place - but look at poor sweet Ellie.... :) 

"Bless her heartttttttt!"

Hunter, Jr. & Hunter, IV - sweetness!

Goodbye "bear hugs" for the girls from Uncle Jimbodia! 

Last day boat rides... Pop and Jimbo had the same baithing suit on (compliments of Gigi!)... We tried to take a picture... Jimmy and Pop decided to be "cute" with their posing... James does not look impressed (look inbetween the silly Pop and Jimbo)...

James got to be a very good little captain, with Daddy's help! :)

Dad named their new boat "All 4 Kids" - which he says because it all is... for all four of us. How sweet is that?

James would only sit still on the boat with Nana... Which I just ate up. It is nice to be hands free for a minute and just soak up the sun! (Thanks Nana!! :)

His other favorite boat companion? Ellie girl - pure sweetness!

Daddy-son shot!

Jimbo posing with the clouds!

Fran, Ellie and sweet Caroline (in utero!)

... and YES. Fran and I were adorned with matching maternity bathing suits. Fortunately for Fran - I was filling mine out WAY more than she was (yes, it is just one little boy in there - ha!). 

James actually did fairly well restrained on the boat... With lots of goldfish and juice boxes to distract him! 

We were just one corny family... Fran and I matching... Dad and Jimbo, matching. If only David had also worn his bathing suit! (Gigi got all the guys the same bathing suit. Perhaps next summer we will get a Fripp pic of all the boys wearing matching suits, haha....)

The COOK CLAN! 

Me and my bug-a-boo enjoying a rare treat - a juicebox!

Another pic of  us posing with the boat and the sign... And sorry Craig and Hunter... Looks like you've been replaced by Jimmy and David... These are the favorite four! waaaah - wahhhhh

A great time, amazing memories -- can't wait until the next trip! Love all my Howards :)