July Fourth Fun

We really lucked out this year, and had THE best weather for July 4th!! We had a family pool day in the morning, and the kids were shaking each time they got out of the water....because it was only 75 degrees and windy. I loved it though b/c the sun was shining, and not a lot of people were at the pool :)

 

 

Lounging poolside for our picnic lunch

As always, an ice cream treat from the Snack Bar before we leave!

 We made the kids rest/nap, because we wanted them to stay up late for all the fireworks. Nate and Greg went out & bought some (clearance!) fireworks, and Nate was just a wee bit excited :)

 Around 5 pm, we headed to our next door neighbors' house for a cookout. But Miss Priss wanted to do a little photo shoot first. I swear, she is something else!!

Yes, I promise we feed her. I think her new nickname needs to be Twiggy b/c her limbs are SO thin! :)

Sisters next door: Caroline and Kate. They pretty much consider Abby one of their sisters and Abby feels the same :)

The whole gang: Nate & Abby, Kate (7), Jack (9), Matt (2), Caroline (5)

Living next door to a professional photographer has its' perks :)

Pull-up skills

One-armed monkeys

Love our neighbors' front porch and porch swing!

BFF's; love these two!

Another family joined us for the cookout; and "poppers" were on the menu for dessert. Thanks Poppy!

Two words: Double Trouble.

So in love with these two and our little neighborhood!

Up to no good.

 We decided to be lazy and stay home instead of going to the Ampitheater to watch the fireworks display. Little did we know, the next neighborhood over was going to be setting off some pretty spectacular fireworks! It was perfect.

My neighbor took this shot; isn't it amazing!?

 Then it was time for the sparklers and the fireworks that Greg bought. We had a hard time getting most of the sparklers lit, and I'll just say this about the rest of the fireworks.....they weren't the best :) I think that's the last time we'll wait till the DAY OF to buy fireworks !!

 

Once Greg was able to light the fireworks, Nate had a ball:

 Abby, however, was a little more reserved. She had a spark hit her arm so after that, she insisted that one of us was right next to her.

Abby & Caroline preferred to watch the fireworks like this :)

 Once the Richardsons went inside, our neighbors on the other side of us starting shooting off fireworks, so we went in their backyard to join them. The kids were excited for round #2 of sparklers and some bigger, better fireworks as well :) We even let Nate hold a Roman Candle!

 

It was a late night and the kids went to bed around 11 pm. They had a ball though and so did we!