my 4th of July project

This 4th of July I really wanted to do a 4th of July shoot with my kids. I want to instill in them how amazing and wonderful it is to have freedom...it is a gift from GOD! a GIFT...truly! One that, I fear, we may not always have...I hope we do...I hope, but incase we don't, I want them to know/remember what it is like to have it.  I want them to know that no matter what, God is good, He is faithful and He has put us where we are to live - for HIM. 

4th of July - night

Delicious cookout at Emily and Frank's, walk to the fireworks, await the fireworks, bathroom break (in the trees) for little boys, more waiting for fireworks, exploring and watching the sprinklers go off on spectators (haha), more waiting, THEN they start, then they stop, then they start, then they stop and we WAIT...then we leave only to have them start and keep going as we are walking back to our car...so we stopped and finished watching them.

See those sprinklers??? Well, yes...there were people there awaiting the fireworks when they went off! 

Sorry pop - your eyes are closed  - typical Bobo face

 Bitty's first fireworks....she fell asleep

BOYS LOVED THEM!

Here they are!! (click to enlarge)

4th of July DAY { Day two }

We started out the morning at the Towanda Parade. We love this parade and go every year...it doesn't matter if it is hot and humid or total Downpour - we've been there! This year...HOT and HUMID won out!

Arae & Mimi painting their nails at the parade...we are so patriotic!

Sweet girl!

 DrewB came too with his daddy

Arae and DJ cheesing it!

Tank was totally into the parade and everything that made it a parade...especially the yummy candy.

Here we are!

I Love this part....Thank you LORD for our freedom!

Like I said...Tank was totally into it! 

Sweet boy!...he saw our flag coming :)

Looking for more candy...to eat!

she melts me...all of us really! 

I love sweet baby fingers and toes! They change so fast and get so big, but right now....so little!

my boys liked this!

The next two pictures are too funny....the guy on the tractor was throwing candy...guess who he hit in the face???

 YUP! Tank :)

My best girls! I pray they become best friends!

Independence Day { weekend } - DAY ONE

My parents came in town for July 4 weekend and we had such a great time! Our weekend consisted of swimming, grilling, playing, fireworks, a cookout, a parade and just wonderful family time.

 I love how little we had to do in order for the kids to have fun....they would have been completely content if we would have camped at the Lexington pool the entire weekend.

Snack time at the pool

 me and the kiddos

Pop with the 3 oldest ones - Bobo's typical "smile"...you never know what face you are going to get with him! 

Tank frustrated with Bobo about something and telling me all about it

Bobo's look of innocence

Like I said before...never know what face you are going to get with Bobo!

Yummy, fresh asparagus for dinner!

with marinated, grilled portobellos

made into a delicious sandwich with fresh Basil Mayo and Fresh basil leaves,  provolone cheese & grilled peppers ...it was SO good! Okay, I am seriously hungry now!

Don't we all LOVE chewing pics! I just love sweet Willow's little head popped in there!

This little one ate later because he fell asleep after all that swimming

so sweet!