4th of July Hunsaker Style

For the 4th of July lots of family came over to Travis' parents for some BBQ, games, and fireworks of course.

For my own record here, I'm going to add who came (but I'm a dork and wrote it in a nice little chart to help me not miss anyone, and if anyone's interested you can see how we're related):

(Travis' youngest sis Megan was in Canada with her horse Vegas) So that was 26 people, but it can get much bigger if you add Ben and Jon's sister in Portland and her kids and grand kids. Or Molly is one of 8 kids and sometimes her parents and a handful of siblings come over, like for New Year's this last year.

After eating the boys started a game of Airsoft. Travis, Shane, Ben, Jake, Josh and Jon. Can you tell Jon and his boys are the big players here? Travis got to play for the first time over this last Christmas break and has since had plans to get his own equipment as soon as we move back to Oregon. Jake got that mask online for just a couple bucks and this was it's debut. It didn't last long. Too hot.

Shane, Kevin, Travis, Jake and Josh. Kevin missed the first game, but once he got back this pic was right before his first game ever. Notice Jake has abandoned the mask for safety glasses.

They say "Oh, it stings a little, but not for long..." Yea, well, the welt on Travis' arm and the double tap Ben got to his poor forehead tell me otherwise! Brittany may be fearless going out and playing with these guys, but I'll pass! :)
Avery and his cousin Damon who's only 2 days older, had a great time playing together and were really good about sharing (a vast improvement over the serious fighting last Christmas...)
Having missed his nap that day, and it being a full day, Avery was fading fast. After a bump to his funny bone, he cuddled up with his Aunt Angela and was soon fast asleep...
A little later Avery was revived with some splashing in the spa tub with cousin Alli. (They were pretty bored after the BBQ but before it was dark enough to do fireworks)
To start the firework festivities, the cannon was lit a couple times...

Here's Damon and Avery lighting up some sparklers...
Meanwhile, before the finale, the big boys had long since brought out the torch (in Kevin's hand) so they could light bunches of fireworks at once. Then they had the bright idea to load a stake (which they had been using to make homemade rockets) up with firecrackers. It took about 20 minutes, but the boys were very proud of themselves. (Kevin, Jon, Josh, Jake, Ben, Travis & Shane)
Travis told me later that Kevin received the honor of lighting this monstrosity because he doesn't yet have children...

Travis, Kevin and Ben checking out the halo of confetti leftover. They made sure I got a picture of their handiwork...

And that is how you celebrate the 4th with the Hunsaker's! :)