4th of July - 2014

Our 4th of July celebration started with a neighborhood parade...

with decorated wheels and red, white and blue attire...

then we headed to Aunt Carol's to help with some baking...

and took a few pics where someone's look said, "really mom?"

And then the afternoon was filled with games,...

and posing, (cuz I'm not the only mom that wants to take pics

- look how he smiles for his aunts?!?!?!)...

and some super soakers...

and a whole lot of swimming...

and relaxing...

and a little fishing...

and then some firework building...

and some laughing... ok, a lot of laughing...

(here's Elise building a tank with Becca and Chris... 

when did the 10 year old get to enter the contest?)

And then, ...

as the sun was setting,...

the girls stood by the flag and played "America the Beautiful"...

and the neighbors stood and listened and then cheered their heads off...

And then, while waiting for the real fireworks to start, we made glow art...

and watched the uncle's finish blowing up their toys.

Happy Birthday, America!