Fourth Of July :-)

As usual, everyone ate breakfast at different times! :-) We had fruit salad. Green and red grapes, strawberries, and blueberries--yum!!! :-)

We were trying to formulate a plan for the day. Elizabeth's friend, Bailey, was going to join us in our activities. So we waited until she could come along with us.

For lunch, we had natchos (corn chips with cheese, refried beans, and sour cream) as well as ham and eggs.

After picking Bailey up, we drove over to Carson Park. We saw several of our children's teachers, there--Mrs. Pressler and Mrs. Weiland-Schuster from the elemantary school, and Mr. and Mrs. Chryst, Sunday school teachers. :-)

We went to the Chippewa Valley Museum, and unfortunately just rushed through it. It shows the rich American Indian influence in the area, as well as the logging industry from many years ago. Eau Claire has two rivers that run through it. One is the Eau Claire River, and the other is the Chippewa River. The two rivers join at Phoenix Park. The rivers were used to transport the logs to cities in southern statrs via the Mississippi River. The Chippewa River runs into the Mississippi River which is a very large river that flows south all the way through the United States. :-)

There is also an old printing press (I had worked at Bible Truth Publishers, so this is interesting to me!), ice boxes (non electric refrigerators), old sewing machines, tools, clothing, and much more. There is also a farm section that was added to the museum. It was inspired by a book a friend's father of Hannah's had written. :-) The history of some of the older neighborhoods also is displayed and explained in this museum. Interesting facts from some of the early settlers and towns people is also found here. :-)

The best part of this museum--in the mind of the children!--is the old fashioned ice cream parlor. The lady taking the order looked at me surprised when I told her she'd be taking six orders for six teenagers! :-D

After eating the ice cream, we quickly entered a tiny log cabin home. I can't imagine anyone ever living in something that small, especially during the long, cold winter months!!! We also took a quick look into the one room school. Then William, Hannah and I went over to pet a horse and two ponies that were there.

We drove back home, and William, Javier, Hannah and I had baked beans and hot dogs for dinner. Elizabeth, Ana, and Bailey drove to Phoenix Park and around town and took photos. They also went to the grocery store. I still have not heard all that they did, but they must have eaten something because they did not want any dinner! :-}

Dan, a good friend of Elizabeth and Bailey's, lives near us. He came over and they all watched a movie on tv. Then Don came home from work, took a shower and a quick nap.

Don took Javier, William, Hannah, and me to Phoenix Park to watch the Fireworks. While we waited for it to get dark, the children threw an American football around, then walked around and played in the park while Don and I read. William and Javier later told me a little boy asked if he could also play with them, so they all threw the football around until it got dark. :-)

Elizabeth, Ana, Bailey, and Dan drove over to Robbins Elementary school and played on the playground. Then they went over to Dan's house to be with his family. Dan's mom baked cookies and they were given cookies to eat. Elizabeth also said they played with sparklers in the yard and talked to Dan's father and younger brothers. She said the youngest boy was all ready for bedtime. He asked his mom and the girls if he could give them all a good night hug, so they all hugged him good night! Elizabeth said he is a really sweet little boy! :-)

It was a fun day! :-)