The 4th, done right

We kinda love the 4th of July around this place. Let's be honest, it's July, and that alone makes me happy! But add to it, family, heat, sun and a celebration of our independence and I'm one happy girl. This year was pretty similar to our years past. Our city celebrates on the 3rd with a whiz bang of a fireworks display and we have a good time with some friends beforehand. That translates into a late night and some tired kiddos the next morning. Ryan skips out and headed golfing with my mom so he doesn't deal with our sleepy heads..... 

This sleepyhead woke up with a note and some cash from the Tooth Fairy having lost her FIFTH tooth the afternoon prior. She popped it right out herself, just like she had wished for. 

So now we've hit Labor Day and the 4th of July with lost teeth from this girl. I think she has a secret wish to lose a tooth on every holiday :)

Our little ones sure clean up well. The out takes of this shot are pretty funny, Lincoln continually spun in circles and then screamed whenever either girl tried to get him to stop and take a picture. I had to act like a clown to get him to stop and smile at the camera. Oh the things that I do for a picture of all three. 

After a round of golf by Ryan and my mom and some food prep from me and the girls, our doorbell started ringing and soon the back yard was filled with outdoor fun. The kids and I found the new water balloons (the ones that fill 40 balloons at a time and a 120 in less than a minute....a new kind of awesome!) and it was time for a water fight! Ryan kept running around yelling "why am I the intended target??" as everyone was going after him :)



Lincoln and Grandma Jan found a cool place in the shade to relax. She taught him how to clink his cup and say "cheers". He's kinda proud of himself with that big boy cup. Ryan on the other hand, is not loving the sticky mess he kept spilling all over the deck because he insisted on something, anything, other than water to drink! 



Ryan's pretty good at doing all sorts of tricks in the pool. Here he's trying to land on the magic carpet and stay standing on it...not as easy as it looks! Took him a few tries but eventually he mastered it and we all cheered for his success!

And teaching Arnie to throw an alley oop....well that was a sight too! The first time he tossed the ball at Ryan's feet and we all got a good chuckle at how impossible that ball was to catch. I'm telling you, it's like having an extra kid with him around sometimes! He sure likes to goof around :) 

Once evening settled in, we took the party out front for a fire works display. Ryan got his hand on some pretty awesome fireworks while we were in Wisconsin last month, and so our 'show' was a little more exciting this year!
Lincoln just kept on drinking and drinking all evening, but at least I knew he wasn't going to get dehydrated in that warm July humidity! 

Check out his curls

For some reason, Grandpa Arnie thought Lincoln was hilarious. I just love this picture of Arnie's expression as he talks to Lincoln, priceless! 

There was simply no way that Regan was going to let us forget that she was going swimming after fireworks. So much so that she wouldn't even change out of her swim suit/cover up! Swimming in the dark might just be her most favorite part of the 4th. 

As for this cutie with her glasses, oh is she our little fire cracker! She was so happy for everything about the day: the food, the swimming, more food, some fireworks and give her some more food. I mean it, she has a wild metabolism as she weighs roughly 45 lbs and eats c.o.n.s.t.a.n.t.l.y! 

With Lincoln in one arm and my camera in the other, we ooed and ahhed as we watched Ryan's display :) 

All the kiddos lit up themselves with glow sticks around every limb and more in their hands! 

At the end of the night, after saying our goodbyes, the 3 oldest of us in the family hopped back in the pool for a quick night swim! It is so peaceful (and super warm!) to swim at night. I know why Regan thinks it's so fun! 

Late at night, as we cleaned up around the pool, Ryan looked at me and said "we do the 4th right: swimming, grilling out, awesome fireworks and pool in the dark. What could be better?". I must say that I have to agree with him :) 

Happy 4th!