Good old fashoined 4th!

those are the eyes of a lady who just doesn't stay up late anymore


she was really into the fireworks show this year



I love that the Bit will take pictures now, we don't always have those annoying close ups anymore



off to find something tasty to eat







I love the pictures where you can tell they are sisters








This year the fourth was one of our more laid back years. We were planning on a big family shin dig w/ mom and dad and Sue's family but since dad keeps having these blasted heart attacks we decided to not load him up w/ wild grandkids for the weekend. He is doing fine by the way only a mild one this time and his scans look good otherwise. So, for the holiday we opted for just some old fashioned family time. We went to our pool for a picnic for lunch. Abigail did a wonderful surprise for us by taking up swimming on the special day. We were delighted to watch her take off and just decide to do it all on her own. It's the cutest thing. She can't coordinate holding her nose or holding her head up out of the water so she does a perfect doggy paddle just under the surface, the only thing that is above the surface is her little Bit bottom. It's so cute.
We swam and laughed and got in all good moods for the day then came home to afternoon naps. Christine came over in the evening for a nice piece of steak (she can't ever resist when we dangle red meat in front of her). It doesn't hurt that her favorite little girls are here too. :) We stuffed our bellies w/ steak and strawberry shortcakes then relaxed and moaned in satisfaction while the sky performed a lovely intense summer storm for us.
Just in time the clouds parted and the sun returned so we could venture down to our towns age old patriotic celebration. This was the first year I had been back as an adult. We went year after year as kids. I have so many memories of us getting there early w/ our neighborhood country crew, feasting on KFC and watching mom march in time to the 1812 overture. We almost always left wearing stylish black trash bags as it rained year after year.
Taking my husband and own children it was a sentimental return to an old tradition. We hoped to meet up with some other families from our church but I have to admit was content to only have the 4 of us to enjoy the evening with. We lined up our lawn chairs and relaxed to the music and the cool post rain breeze. They had a wonderful 1960's tribute band playing lots of beach boys hits. The girls took care of the entertainment for us. Abigail bounced and wiggled nonstop to the fun songs. Chloe even got in on the fun and shocked me to death at her new onset of maturity that she didn't attempt to wander off. If she did I simply said "come back here" and she....obeyed!! :) I was so proud. As the night crept on the kids around us had the glow of their Nintendos lighting up their faces. I was thankful my kids could keep content w/ just some music fresh air, bare feet and their family to keep them entertained. Maybe it's the age but I hope they will grow up being able to be happy where they are when something special is going on. I know Brian and I want to raise them to be in the moment, not behind a hand held electronic.
The fireworks were great. Beautiful now that the stadium is gone and they shot them off to the side so they reflected off of my hospital. We stayed out the whole show then carried the tired little ladies back to the car. Got them in bed by sometime after 10. We were all pretty pooped but happy to have some good holiday memories under our belts.