4th of July 2016

4th of July is usually one of my favorite holidays. Hmpf! But this year's festivities were not quite to festive. 

The day started with rain. Phooey! We got ready in our red/white/blue and headed to the parade. But, on the way the rain began to POUR down. Cam turned the van around and went back home. After about 15 min. the rain let up but most of the family didn't want to go. Party poopers!! 

So, I took Sis and George and just the three of us had a lovely RAIN FREE time at the parade. Plus, Grandma and Grandpa met us there. 

After the parade we hung out at home and got our festive food ready. Then off to our first stop of parties. Thank goodness we have friends that invite us over. We had fun visiting with the first group of friends and then headed for our second party. 

We also had a lovely time at party number two. We had a delicious dinner! Just as I finished my dinner Cam announced that we had to go. Go? What?! Already?! Hmpf. Well, I was annoyed but Cam had to work the next morning and yes he does get up early for work. Blah, blah, blah. 

So...we were home by 8:00 PM. Great! Only 2.5 hours until we could see the fireworks from our house. Tick Tock Tick Tock. Finally I couldn't wait any longer....meaning that I was too tired and the kids were bugging me so I went to bed. Poor Cam was only woke up about 57 times throughout the night with loud fireworks going off. Our city has a ban on them but apparently nobody was following the law. 

The next day the kids said they saw lots of great fireworks from their bedroom windows. I saw none. Oh the joys of getting older. 

I'll leave you with a good "It's a Dog's Life" photo. Sis was giving Rocket a "Noogie". Ha!! 

4th of July 2015

This year Cam worked 4th of July. Only a half day but we missed him for the parade!

I have one rule for 4th of July. You have to wear a red/white/blue outfit...and let me take a group photo. 

Sis and I got in the spirit with a holiday manicure. The big pink blingy ring was added by Sis. It definitely does NOT go along with my color scheme. Also, notice her lime green skirt...but, I have to pick my battles...and you might as well rock the rainbow bright outfits while you can. 

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for the parade. 

It was a fun time watching the parade and gathering candy. 

We were suppose to spend the rest of the day at our friends' house but they were both sick so we stayed home. We ran to the store and bought all the fixings for a 4th of July meal. That means BBQ chicken, potato salad, veggies/dip, and berry shortcake. Yum! 

Happy 4th of July. Kind of late....I know it. I'm still trying to get caught up.
We had a great 4th. I love the 4th!! We went to the parade with Grandma and Auntie Sara and then went to our fabulous friends' house for dinner and fireworks.

4th of July

We had such a great 4th of July weekend. Cam was home and it is my very favorite holiday. All the fun and not so much work. We spent the day with our friends and had delicious food and such a good time visiting and watching the kids play. The weather was the only complaint! Very cold...I wore my down coat...in July! And it rained a bit here and there. The solution was a big bonfire...and more food. :)

These beautiful pies made by my friend Teri were as good as they look!

The kids got LOTS of time to run and play and be very silly with their Godbrothers!

Lots of time to visit and snuggle babies around the fire.

Everyone enjoyed fireworks...especially when all the kids did sparklers. Man was it smoky!

Oh, what fun the kids had getting rides on the quad. Even I took the kids for a ride...and Mr. P was quick to let me know I wasn't as good as Dad! :0

Tuba of course hunkered down by the bonfire.

The wee ones had a great time swinging and even pushed each other.

A great shot of all the kids...minus one baby who had gone to bed.

Favorite Holiday

Photos of last year's celebration.

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday! It doesn't require weeks of preparation and work. It's fun and festive and I love to watch my kids enjoy the day.

The kids all have red/white/blue outfits to wear....call me nutty but I love that. We are going to a small town parade and over to our friend's house for dinner and fireworks. All the Dads have a great time putting on the firework show while us gals sit on the deck and enjoy. On our drive home we get to enjoy a second firework show. It's about a 25 mile drive and the entire way the sky will be lit with fireworks. The kids are always asleep and Cam and I enjoy the silence and the beauty in the sky. Kind of like a mini date:)

It's fun to reflect back to the previous year. Last year I went with Tuba, Mr. P and Busy Guy. I was HUGE pregnant...due in mere days and Cam was in Ethiopia. I was very emotional and greatly missing my husband and ever anxious to meet my daughter. I'm so thankful to have all my kids and my wonderful husband with me this year.

Have a wonderful 4th of July!!!!

Happy 4th of July!

My thoughts today are with all the military families. I'm missing my hubby so much and it's only been a week. I cannot imagine him being gone for months or years. The spouses who hold down the fort and keep the family going are truly heroes. May God bless them and give them comfort and guidance...and keep their loved one safe from harm.
Talked to hubby on the phone this morning. He is getting really anxious to come home. 24 more hours until his plane departs Addis. He is going to just hang around the hotel until it's time to go to the airport. I could hear Lydia in the background cooing and squealing. She had her bottle in her mouth and was trying to get her toes and hands in too. Hubby says she is spoiled already. If she's not being held then she will fuss. She wants to be held while sleeping and then hubby silently slides her off and into her bed. I wouldn't expect anything less from one of our babies!
Today we are going to our friend's house and to a parade with them. It will be nice to get out of the house and visit with friends. I'm getting a little lonely for adult company. I have apple pie in the oven cooking and it smells to yummy...so 4th of July!