On the Fourteenth Fourth

Sixteen years ago this past weekend, I experienced my first Stockwell Fourth of July.  Not only was it my first Fourth with the Stockwells, but it was my first anything with the Stockwells.  I remember driving up alone, getting increasingly excited to meet Ben's extended family and witness this event I'd heard so much about.  Then I remember arriving to this most idyllic place, full of strange faces, then asking one of them where Ben might be, and being told he was...building a teepee.  So an adorable little girl (then about the age my boys are now, now a grown woman) led me up a wooded path, past cabins and memorials, to the top of a hill, and sure enough, there were a bunch of Stockwell men erecting a teepee.  And it only got wackier from there.  There was the mandatory newcomer  jump in the lake in full costume (mind you, that costume was a large moving box wrapped up like a present - I'm lucky I didn't drown), porch parties, KrazyBall, more faces and names than I could ever possibly remember...and I loved every minute of it (although I did learn that costumes that inhibit one's ability to swat away black flies are not a good idea).  Since that first Fourth of July back in 1998, I've been lucky enough to join these wacky Stockwells for 13 more (I think we've only missed two) of their version of our nation's birthday, and I can honestly say I've loved every single one more than the last.  And suddenly I'm the mom of those little kids who lead newbies around the compound, showing off all of its glory.  I know everyone's name, face, and from whom they directly descend (and then some).  I am part of this magical place now, and yet have the unique (or unique to us out-laws, at least) perspective that comes from not having always had this, from not being lucky enough to grow up amongst my cousins on a beautiful lake in Maine.  And as such, I hope to never ever take one bit of this treasure for granted.

This, my 14th Fourth of July in Waterford, was filled with:

Bedtime story hours

(Editor's note: Ethan and Adam are both looking up at a picture of their great-grandpa Howie while I read a book from Howie that is inscribed to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Chills.)

Fishing, fishing, and more fishing.  Apparently fishing is a big hit among 4-6 year olds.  Especially when it involves real worms.

Special grandpa/grandson sunset fishing trip.  The boys caught five fish total (looks like Caz caught two of those).  

Parades.  Here we are marching in the town parade on the 4th.

And here are the leaders of the family parade on the 6th.

Superkids.

With SuperMom and SuperDad.  SuperDad was also SuperJudge this year (hence the clipboard).  We bought him off and got the "Best Bedtime Story" award.  I guess it fits - we read a lot of superhero stories at bedtime (or anytime) in this house.

Dock jumping!  And skinny dipping!

And learning to dive.

Finding all our old favorite rocks and naming new ones. 

Cousins, cousins, and more cousins.  And popsicles.

Amazing sunsets.  And being able to enjoy them on the dock while listening to little voices recapping the excitement of the day before bed.

The first annual "Donuts on the Dock" party, rekindling Howie and his siblings' old traditions.

A kids' carnival!  Now seriously, what other family just up and puts on a carnival for the kids?!  Face painting, manicures, crafts, obstacle courses...

crown making...

water balloon launching...

And what would the Fourth of July be without some sparklers?  This was our boys' first experience with this sort of fun, and their early timidness quickly turned into pyrotechnic enthusiasm.  

The grown ups think sparklers are all fun and games but the little ones take playing with fire very seriously.

And the absolute highlight of the weekend (for my boys): TUBING! 

Adam shows pure excitement to get out there while Ethan nervously wiggles his loose tooth.

First trip on the tube and we have some full-force tubing addicts.

Happy happy 4th of July!  Summer has arrived!