Happy 4th!

We had a very blessed 4th of July weekend. On Friday we spent the day at the beach getting fried (ok, I got fried, the kids had sunscreen)with our Ayi (and the kiddos) and our new friend Dawn and her daughter Em. It was so great to meet her in person! Then on Saturday we had a family bbq to celebrate Janice's early-birthday and the 4th all in one. Sunday was a packed day! We went to church in the am and then went right to the parade (we are so lucky to have friends who live on the route and have a great-rockin party each year with a ton of food!)Gabe loved the firetrucks and tractors and loved getting candy! Here are a couple of pics from Gabe's first Freedom Festival parade!




After the parade, we went home and took a short nap (it would have been a long night for Gabe) and got out the new kiddie pool and the kids had a blast (it was 88 and full sun). Later we had leftovers from bbq for dinner and at dusk headed to the beach for the fireworks! I have to say that we live in a great place to celebrate the 4th-so much to do and we have one of the best parades and firework displays! It was a special night for Tim and I as it was 15 years ago on the 4th, under the fireworks that Tim asked me to marry him!
Gabe was a hoot when the fireworks started. After that first loud bang to start them off, he jumped and clung his legs and arms around Jordan-hanging on for dear life! He enjoyed them, but didn't leave mommy's lap!




And here are a couple of fun pics from earlier in the week!





Gabe, Julia, and Em -- Are they not the cutest kiddos around!?

What a dude!