Saturday, April 21

NEIGHBORHOOD PICNIC AT THE POND

What beautiful weather we had today for our neighborhood picnic!  The rain yesterday cooled the air and the sun today just brightened everyone's day!

 It started bright and early with Jeremy towing our friend's HUGE smoker down to the pond (Boys just love this kind of equipment)
 There were a number of fun activities....including pond golfing, bean bag toss, fishing, bike riding, and of course....lots of eating
There is Madison exploring around the creek
Look at these adorable cupcakes that my neighbor made.  They tasted GREAT too!
 The fire department came out to visit with us and have a bite to eat....those firefighters took a lot of time answering questions and showing the kids all of their equipment...wow, it is amazing how prepared they are for ANY emergency
 Madison was the only one of my kids who were brave enough to try on the jacket
 There are Savannah and Madison both holding the "Jaws of Life"  The fireman had to help because it was so incredibly heavy!
There's Nick....all three listened intensely to everything that was said.  The firemen ARE truly our community heroes.....I grew up saying a prayer every time I saw an emergency vehicle or heard sirens.  
We have always done this with our kids as well.  It is a beautiful practice not only for the sake of keeping our local heroes safe, but also teaching our children to respond in prayer to any situation....they have even been the ones who lead the prayer now that they are getting bigger and Jeremy and I just love hearing their little voices asking their Father in Heaven for help. We always try and thank policemen, firemen, military persons when we see them for keeping us safe.  The fireman today said that he could not see himself doing anything else....It truly is a calling, not just a job!