Happy 4th of July

We have had a very busy month so I am finally getting to our 4th of July celebration pictures. We had a great day. It started off going to a parade and having a picnic with some new friends. I loved seeing Aidens reaction to all the fire trucks and cars in the parade. Here are some highlights.




Family picture at the parade!



Here is Aiden and Daddy waiting for the jets to fly over. Aiden loves big jets but the noise made him a little nervous.

At the start of the parade it was a little chilly. Good thing I brought that towel for Aiden to wrap up in. However, by the end of the parade it had warmed up about 30 degrees and we were all melting.

One of the highlights of this small town parade was a group of local missionaries carrying a giant American flag in the parade.


The afternoon of the fourth, we celebrated some more at a barbeque with some friends. It was so much fun. The kids had a blast picking cherries, throwing water balloons, and looking at the neighbors cows. Oh yeah, and I have to mention that the food was amazing. I wish I had taken a picture of everything but here is the festive 4th of July dessert parfaits I made!

Our kids loved to climb up and down the gate to look at the cows. I loved to hear them giggle when the cows mooed.

Aiden showing off his water balloon. His favorite part was watching it break on the ground.

What would the 4th of July be without Snaps! Aiden loved to throw them up in the air and hear them pop on the ground.
After it got dark we stuck around for some stay at home fireworks and sparklers! Aiden was a little timid to say the least. I think he lasted about 5 minutes in my lap and then went inside. He would gaze from behind the protected window or screen door but that was all. As I recall, he takes after his mother in this respect. My parents could tell about 10 years worth of 4th of July stories where after the first one went off in the sky they would have to pack up and take me back to the car., ususally with the dog too.

I am glad I grew out of it and hope Aiden does too! The fireworks were a lot of fun. Thanks Erica and Jed for the great display of patriotism. Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July too!!!