Happy Independence Day!

We had such a great 4th of July this year. I'm sure part of it was due to the fact that Daddy was home and we were able to play and have fun with him. It's amazing to have him home.

 

On Wednesday night we went to a friend's bar-b-q and watched the fireworks over the lake.

The party was at a house that's on a bluff overlooking the lake- the perfect spot to watch the Norfork Lake firework show.  The friends who invited us are our neighbors and close friends. We adore them and enjoyed spending the evening with them. We will miss our dear friends, the Oberts.

 

The kids were so cute hanging out together!

I know Tanner is going to miss Ava and Eliza so much!

I love this little face! Little stinker!

Isn't this view amazing?

There were so many boats on the lake to watch the fireworks.

I love this beautiful area!!!

We watched the fireworks, ate yummy food and hung out with friends.
When the show was over we drove home and got in pretty late. The kids were passed out before we got home.

 

The next morning we just hung out and spent some lazy time with Daddy.

Around 11 we went over to Nanny and Papa's house for our traditional "slip-n-slide"

Even Daddy gave it a try this year. The kids loved seeing Daddy slide with them! It was so cute!

 

 

This picture is probably my favorite from the day. I love the look on Tanner's face.
Tanner would run and Chris would slide after him until he caught him.

Tanner was laughing so hard he could hardly run straight.

Each of the kids took turns sliding down the plastic.

( I know our slip-n-slide is redneck, but it is seriously so much fun!)

 

 

We also enjoyed using the cable to pull each other across the slip-n-slide.

Bailey really loved it!

At one point I had both kids in my lap and Uncle Joseph pulled all three of us. So fun!

 

Tanner even gave it a try on his own.

 

After the slip-n-slide we ate a delicious lunch. We had bar-b-q ribs, corn on the cob, cinnamon apples, watermelon and pasta salad. YUMMY!

As you can see, Bailey thoroughly enjoyed the watermelon.

Besides, no 4th of July is complete without watermelon.

After lunch we went home for naps. The kids took great 2-hour naps and then we packed up and headed to the lake. We decided to go to "Jordan Rec Area." It was way less crowded and had actual natural sand beaches. The water was amazing and the kids loved the sand.

We played and then ate the dinner we'd packed. We stayed for a couple hours and it was wonderful!

 

 

Here are my kids playing with Papa. How we adore Nanny and Papa!

Then Aunt Laura and her friend Sam decided to make an awesome sandcastle.
Bailey, of course, had to help.

Bailey spent more time "helping" with the sandcastle than she did in the water. She loved it!

 

 

Tanner and Papa had a great time pretending to be fish. Tanner would swim away and then the "Papa fish" would swim after him. So funny to watch.

I need to get this kid in swim lessons. He's such a little fish!

 

Here's the picnic crew, eating dinner at the lake.

After dinner at the lake, we packed up and went back to Nanny and Papa's house for fireworks.

Some of the kids' favorites were the poppers and sparklers.

When Daddy started setting off the loud ones, Bailey hid between my legs.

Haha. She cracks me up!

She wasn't satisfied until she was wearing the noise-cancelling headphones.

After that, she really enjoyed the rest of the fireworks.

Tanner also really liked the roman candles.

 

The weather was beautiful. The high was only 85 degrees- perfect for playing in the water and then in the evening it dropped to the low 70's. Such a gorgeous day (and so unusual for July!)

We had delicious food, great time with family and lots of fun!

Such an amazing 4th of July.

I'm so grateful for this country and all the freedoms we enjoy.

Happy 4th of July!