July fourth was a nice family day for us - John had to work and Katy wasn't home from the lake with the Fulk family until after lunch, but when we were all together we headed over to mom and dad's for hotdogs. As usual we walked down to the fireworks at Memorial Field, but this time we were prepared and asked dad to bring his ear protectors for the boys. This made all the difference for Zach, and he was able to stay and watch the festivities with only about nine requests to leave. But they were very reasonable - he would just turn around as the fireworks exploded overhead and say "May we go home now?"
Before the fireworks began the Nevers Band played, which is a band that has been around for about one hundred and fifty years. I think last night was probably the first time a MOSH PIT was formed for them, which I am sure we can thank our oldest son for. Way to go down in history, Jake!

In Short...

As you all know by now, I am the worst blogger ever. So I will briefly make a list of what has been going on, and hopefully later can make it back here to actually blog.
Let's see. Since May...
- Jake and Katy attended an ElventySeven concert
-Gabe and Zach spent the night at Wash's house
-We went to Providence to spend the day at the zoo with our little cousins Ava and Max
-John took Mom and I to Angelina's for Mother's Day
-the boys and I started working in a co-operative garden with some girls from work
-Jake took part in Jonathan Fulk's senior recital, on the electric guitar
-Katy graduated eighth grade
-Gabe lost his first tooth
-Gabe lost his second tooth
-John took Father's Day off and we had a great ka-bob cookout from the Meat House
-we got (another) new kitten
-Jacob and Katy both made the Honor Roll (AGAIN!!!!)
-We spent two days at Storyland
-the big kids spent a week at summer camp with Youth Group
-Jake began his thirteen month program to finish earning his black belt