This year the 4th of July was so much fun!
I realized afterward....
I didn't get good pictures- I think because I was having fun with the kids? At least that's my excuse.
Let's just start off by saying...
it was HOT.
so hot
The hottest day of the year so far- of course. I mean it was the 4th of July!?
On the 3rd- we met up for our traditional picnic & concert at the park, then fireworks.
The last two years it's been so hot we have opted to stay home to eat in the backyard since we have so many darling kiddos around now. In fact- this was the first year in 7 full years- that all of our kids were home for the 4th. We also had Brittany, Aimee & Sean & their kids, & Wende, Allie & Ethan. What fun!
One of my favorite things from being a kid was lighting these "snakes."
I put together bags for all of the kids full of bubbles & candy & pop its, etc-
plus got them each a box of snakes.
Jack & Sean helped us light them off & they loved them!
We had lots of snakes-
It was so fun to see the kids excitement as the lit & grew-
Finn & Crew were too little to appreciate the snakes- but they have discovered watermelon.
Finn here was covered in it & they needed a bath.
We headed to the park to listen to the concert & watch fireworks.
Megan snagged this great parking spot!
It was perfect because it was between two cars - the park was packed- so it was kind of a natural holding place for the kids, we all had a great view for the fireworks and didn't have to worry so much about anyone running off.
For most of these kiddos - it was their first year staying up late enough to see the fireworks!
Big Time Excitement
It was hot & humid -
so Brett (being a genius) went home, pulled a box of otter pops out of the freezer & brought them over.
I don't think an otter pop ever tasted so good?
The next morning we were up bright & early enough to sweat it out at our small town parade.
The next morning we were up bright & early enough to sweat it out at our small town parade.
The kids were loving the candy being thrown out- especially Lola.
But Joey- he wouldn't have any part of the salt water taffy- he is way too smart for that.
He was totally snubbing it. Someone came through handing out chocolates & he lit right up.
Loved the chocolate- didn't want the taffy. Ha- he just cracks me up!
Joey saw spider man & was thrilled.
Brett ran him over & he got to hug him- but I didn't get my camera out in time!
Poor Peter was sleeping away until a piece of taffy hit him smack in the head-
Of course he's an absolute doll & handled it just fine.
Finn wanted to be in the parade--
(crew left- finn right)
Besides all being together, my favorite part of the parade this year was watching Lola get excited about the candy & Cole hugging all the characters who walked by. It was the. cutest. thing. ever.
We came home & cooled off in the kiddie pool.
It is so great to watch my Charlie growing up-
he is so big now. I just can't believe how fast he is growing. He is going to be 5 this fall.
He is such a great kid- Megan & Tony are wonderful parents, which makes it a pleasure to be a grandparent.
These two monkeys have pretty cool parents too-
We spent the day recovering from the heat & eating leftovers from the night before. As it got dark it was strange that just Brett, Trent & I were home alone.
It was a good opportunity for us to let Trent be in charge of the fireworks that we had bought. It was also a lesson in patience.... Trent would light a match while standing up, then slowly bend down to light a firework. The match would go out- then he would start again. Brett kept trying to teach him how to do it - it was almost funny. It took about 10 matches per firework.
Thankfully we had nothing going on so it was a great learning/practice time.
Not having his older brothers there gave him the chance to be in charge.
Plus the neighborhood was shooting off fireworks all around us.
Speaking of getting big & older...
Trent turns 15 next month!
ah- it's a great life
and my favorite marching band
well that's what we thought until about 1/2 way through the set when he shoved one half heartedly. It went SO SLOW that it actually stopped right before it hit the pins. I thought it was pretty darn funny & down right amazing when you think about it.
I don't know why- but I think it's comical when big kids try to throw a fit. It just didn't work- he's too big now. We just walked around him and that was that.
I of course stink at bowling. I mean if anyone should never go bowling just because they are so bad- it's me. Once I went bowling with a large group of women for a girl's night type outing & bowled a 39. I'm not kidding, it's down right humiliating... & yes you can stop laughing now.
I only threw 6 gutter balls-- what can I say? It's not my thing. 
Hailey was having a rough time & at one point Brett suggested he have them put up the bumpers for her- she looks happy- huh?
But then - the bumpers did the trick. She actually wasn't even doing bad!
Trent had the most fun rearranging the bowling balls & handing them out.
I'm so glad these three are such great sports & so fun to be with.
Afterwards we went to Cafe Rio & had a great dinner & even better dessert-