Forth of July Weekend~2016

Hoping everyone had a wonderful weekend. We did. But when you have the perfect combo of low key days at home and late nights with family and friends, it's going to be wonderful.

My plan for Friday was laundry (does anyone else ever have those days?.) But late in the morning my niece Kelsey invited us to an impromptu park picnic. We never, ever pass up a park play date....especially with some of our favorites. This just reminded me that I need to do things like this more often. We live by so many friends and family....I need to take advantage of that!

We continued with the cousin-fun theme that night and went out to the farm. (August's face is ridiculous in this one ha!) We cooked out and ate our weight in brownies and ice cream. Always good to catch up with Terry, Kim and their crew. Again....I need to make it a point to do this more often!

 

We had zero plans for Saturday. Started off lounging in pjs and just kind of figured we would stay that way. But with rain in the forecast the next few days we decided we better head outside while we still could.

 

So Uncle Chuck came over for sparklers and poppers and a few little fireworks. Auggie wasn't so sure about any of it.

 

Miss Em on the other hand is a little firecraker. She burnt through all of the "Farkelers" quickly and helped Chuck and I throw poppers at her Dad!

Sunday it rained. And then rained some more. Nana had the day off and came over in the afternoon. With a babysitter in house, Doug and I decided to head to the lake...kid free! The lake house is fun but not that kid friendly, so it was nice to stay up a little late with Douglas!

 

By Monday we were very ready to break out our finest red, white and blue! Mom found this dress for Em at a garage sale last year and it was hard to wait a whole year for her to wear it....it is just so cute and over the top! 

 

And did I mention it was the perfect twirl dress? Em loved it. You are allowed to wear red, white and blue all month right?? This dress can't just sit in the closet.

 

In my head I had the cutest little brother-sister picture planned out. Why do I bother? But this is completely real life which is really even better (plus I got an all-eyes-on-the-camera picture at the end of the day....success!)

We headed to the Probst's to celebrate with some of our favorite friends. I wish I would have gotten a picture of all of the kids (and there are quite a few these days) in their holiday colors. I also have to be honest with myself and realize that that picture would have been impossible....too many little crazies to capture. Auggie followed all of the big kids around and was exhausted by the end of the party and Emery ran in circles and squealed and ate about four cookies I think.

 

She also swam in the rain with the Dads. Silly girl. No wonder we left about 7 and the kids crashed at home for about an hour. Because naps at bedtime are always a great idea.........

 

In our case, we were very glad they got those short naps. What is the fourth without BIG fireworks?? Nana joined us and we met up with Terry and Kim's and Grandma Susie and Grandpa Sammy. None of that was planned, so I was very happy with how the evening worked out!

Emery loved them. The purple ones were of course her favorite.

She be-bopped from me to her grandparents to Nora to Doug. I don't think she remembers last years...I wonder if she will remember these.

 

Auggie Boy did a really good job too. I think if we had been any closer they would have been too loud for him. But he just sat in wonder. Laying in bed last night Doug told me he wished he would have taken a picture of him after the first few. His big blue eyes said it all. Absolutely in awe. 

 

The grand-finale received claps from all of the littles and it was time to head home.

That night Emery told me she had to dream about fireworks.

And I didn't head a peep out of either kiddo until 9:30 this morning.  

 

I love the 4th. Matching outfits, grilling out, friends and family and staying up late. All of my favorite things. I also love the freedom that allows me to do those things and could never thank the men and women who have given me that freedom, enough. 

4th of July, 2016 was truly wonderful.

I hope you enjoyed yours too!