4th of July

We seem to have developed a new 4th of July tradition. For the last few years, we have gone to my Mom's for dinner and fireworks. The kids (big and small) have a great time! Every year Jack asks, "Can we go to Miss Rita's and shoot fireworks?" My brother, Josh, and his wife, Leah, were even there this year. I think "Uncle Josh" had as much fun as anyone! Maybe they can make it "tradition" to come home for the 4th and play with explosives with the rest of us! :) Janice, a friend of the family, has been part of the tradition, also. She brought these disks for the kids to play with in the yard, and they loved them! I think Mitch about wore Janice out playing with them. She'll probably think twice about bringing something like that next time! :)

After dinner, Gary and the boys (Jack, Alex, and Mitch anyway) went to buy fireworks. Uncle Josh passed out $$$ to each of them before they left, and they were soooo excited to be able to pick out their own fireworks with the money he gave them. Those of you who know Gary, know that he came home with the big mack-daddy box of fireworks! It was a good show, and Jack has gotten old enough to light them, which was a big treat for both Jack and Gary! Of course, in the Roberts family, we don't use a wimpy little lighter...we break out the blow torch...and no, I'm not kidding! :)

Josh "practicing" for the day when he FINALLY has kids

Jack and Jake...I think I have probably mentioned that when we named Jake, we considered how similar it is to Jack. Our conclusion was, that with over 12 years between them, the wouldn't even be around each other enough for it to matter...we were wrong! They are thick as theives!

Alex protecting Mitch (like a good big brother) from Daddy...shouldn't it be Daddy doing the protecting, not the picking?

I told you I wasn't kidding...here's Jack with the blow torch!