My girl

The week before the fourth I took some "patriotic" pictures of Ella. She is a really great model these days. She knows if she sits still and smiles it will be over quickly and painlessly. She has many other important things to do besides take pictures. 
Enjoy!

Fireworks, friends, and family

Another fourth of July has come and gone. I think the fourth is one of my favorite holidays, because it is a day filled with some of my favorite things and people. My love of the fourth goes way back to my childhood. Every year we would go to my aunt and uncles house. My cousin, brother, and I would light firecrackers all day, and we had fireworks at night. It was SO fun. I hope Ella has memories like that when she gets older. 
We spent our day with friends swimming and eating, and our evening with family watching the fireworks. It was perfect!
Our day started off at Aaron and Sarah's house. Sarah is 9 months pregnant so it was a little different than last year. We still had fun swimming, socializing, and eating way too much good food. 

Ella had fun swimming and playing with sparklers when she wasn't in the pool.

 There is our dinner. These beer can chickens were delicious. Aaron has a knack with the grill and smoker. 

We were able to hang out with this little cutie and her mom and dad. Isn't she the cutest baby ever!? 

Nathan, Lindsay, and L'Wren. 

Sarah, Aaron, and baby Isabelle (due very soon)!!

At around 6 we headed down to the river with my mom and dad and met up with Terry, Penny, and Autumn. Ella was on cloud nine since she was able to watch the fireworks with Autumn. It is so fun to see them together and listen to their conversations.

My mom came fully prepared with food and a cooler of drinks. We definitely had anything and everything we needed for the three hours we had to wait until the fireworks started. 

The girls had fun with sparklers and running up and down the hill too many times to count. I love this age. You can take them anywhere, and they have fun doing just about anything. They are both great little girls!

My parents had one of these lanterns left to light so they brought it along. We have not had good luck with these. Last year in Florida we tried one, and it never took off. The second one lit on fire, and then it took off. It was floating through the air on fire and headed straight for the condos. Thankfully, we never heard any sirens from firetrucks that night. This last one was another fiasco. It wasn't opened all the the way before it was lit. It never took off. I'm sure everyone was looking at us, because we couldn't help but laugh at my dad. Better luck next time....

Here is one that took off successfully....

After three hours of waiting the fireworks finally started, and they were well worth the wait. 

 Autumn was taking pictures of the fireworks as well. A girl after my own heart!!

We didn't get home until 10:30, and Ella didn't get to bed until 11. It was a great day and definitely worth the late bedtime. I hope you had a fun, safe fourth!!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!! The 4th if definitely one of my favorite holidays. It's a day filled with food, friends, family, and fireworks!!