4th Weekend Fun

We had an amazing, busy and FUN weekend - how about you?

On Friday night Daddy and I went out with some friends for an "adult date" - I think I'll tell you more about that in a separate post.

Saturday morning while Daddy went for his crossfit workout, the kids and I tried very hard to find some garage sales (note to readers: if you list a garage sale on Craigslist - HAVE a garage sale and BE OPEN when you say you will be).  We eventually stopped by Starbucks for a Strawberries & Creme treat for the kids then took it to a new park we found with a cool train. 

Em got a bit energetic about the whipped cream and made it into mousse for her hair.  :)

Saturday evening we went up to our old stomping ground meeting family at Daddy's great aunt Zia and uncle Evo's house then walked to the junior high to watch the big fireworks show.  Matt & Alanda brought the kids, both sets of grandparents were there and cousins George, Carla, Kevin, Christine & Baby Jack were there also along with Zia & Evo.  The cousins all had so much fun playing together before the show began and they REALLY enjoyed the fireworks!

Love this one!  Miss Em could have been me 28 (I mean 29 years ago)!

My All-American Girl

Zia & Evo

McGee and Evo had so much fun together!

My little giggle-box!

The kids had SUCH a great time playing together (like they always do)!

Cousin George bought all of the kids little glow sticks that they had fun twirling around and making necklaces out of.

Grammy & Papa

I had lots of fun taking fireworks pictures this year - here are just a few

Watching the fireworks show

A fantastic finale

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For the actual 4th, we went grocery shopping as a family first thing in the morning, came home and I got my dessert in the freezer then we went to the noon service at church (Daddy plays worship).  It was lots of fun hanging out with our friends afterwards too.  Came home and the kids napped then we welcomed our neighbors to our 4th of July block party.  The food, the people and the fireworks were terrific!  It was another LATE night for the kids (not in bed until 11pm and midnight the day before), but it was just what summer is all about.

Parading Through Town

I love that I grew up in a very small town.  I loved knowing everybody and have always taken pride in my little town.  I was so excited when the kids and I went up to my parents for the weekend and were able to partake of an annual tradition of our little town, the Italian Picnic Parade.  I marched in this parade many times as a child - with my Girl Scout troop, dance group and then for the last time as a entrant for the Miss Amador Pageant, that was nearly 13 years ago!  Crazy how time flies so fast!

McGee didn't want to go to the parade at first.  That morning I heard lots of "I don't want to go.  I want to stay home", but in the end he went and had a blast (as I knew he would)!  

You can find some pictures in my Not Me! Monday post from earlier in the week.  Here are some more:

An hour before the parade began (we got the time wrong and arrived WAY early)

Miss Em, My mom, My Sister & McGee

My 'lil sweetie got a pretty ribbon tiara

McGee was SO excited Grandma bought him a trumpet!

In awe and wonder...

My niece Skye woke up to enjoy the festivities...

The kids had a blast collecting all the candy that was thrown...

McGee was so into the candy that he started following the trucks down the street in search of more sweet treats (that's him below the blue arrow)...

Finding his way back to us...

The many faces of Miss Em...

Parade joy...

Toot-toot...

I liked this.  These were all of the cheerleaders from BOTH high schools in the county and their shirts say, "Spirit is what counts".  Very nice.  By the way - those with the blue shorts go to the BEST high school. :)

Man I love these people...

My girl...I have no words to explain why she was roaring and making these faces at a parade participant!  She is such a crack-up!

Gotta have Smokey the Bear!

My All-American kiddos...

Dots + A Boy = Pure JOY

As we were heading out from the parade I was taking this final shot and recognized my oldest (as in lifelong, not age) friend in the frame!

I was SO excited to see Liesl and her family.  Our moms were friends when they were pregnant with us and we've been friends ever since!  I can't tell you how many sweet cards, notes, postcards I have in my hope chest from Liesl through the years.  Her family traveled quite a bit (France, South Africa, South America) and we always kept in touch.  She was also one of my bridesmaids.  Sadly, the last time I saw Liesl and her husband Nathan (a friend of ours since jr. high) was more than TWO YEARS ago when I was 8 months pregnant with Miss Em and a very large bridesmaid in their wedding!

As my sister said, it was the highlight of our day to see Liesl and her family!  Hopefully we'll be seeing each other again soon!

Well if you've gotten this far down, thank you for looking at my many pictures, here's a sweet little wave "Bye!" from Miss Em and don't forget to go to your town's next parade!

Let Me See You Smile

Allergies have got me a bit under the weather this week, but I thought I'd share with you some recent shots that make me SMILE and I hope they bring a SMILE to YOUR face as well:

Always making silly faces:

Daddy's new favorite outfit on you:

Always putting brother's clean underwear on your head:

Can you hear the big "CHEESE!" that is being said?

Yep, this is how we roll.

Happy Wednesday!