Happy 4th of July

We definitely know how to celebrate 4th of July around here!  We always have lots of fun activities, which makes for some tired girls - but I wouldn't change it!

We made these fun cupcakes - I was just going to ice them blue (the cupcakes themselves were red and blue funfetti) but Meredith planned out writing USA! too - she is always ready to decorate!

We packed up our cupcakes and met the Geurin family out for dinner before going to Light up Arlington - the cousins went from bounce house to bounce house, checked out a train ride, and Jillian got her face painted.  Then we headed to the top of the church's garage to watch fireworks!

We were ready for the show to start!

Papa's truck was a popular place for all the kids that sat near us.

This fireworks show was way past Carter's bedtime, not to mention pretty loud (my kids wore earplugs and this was the first year one or the other didn't totally wig out!) but this kid loved every minute of it!  He couldn't take his eyes off the show, he clapped and pointed - and then he kept signing for "more" at the end.  He is a cutie!

The next morning, Jillian was zonked, so Meredith and I headed to the Arlington 4th of July parade by ourselves.  We sat with our friends at a great spot and had a lot of fun just us two!

Showing her Colt Pride.

When we got home around 11am, Jillian was STILL asleep!  But she immediately wanted a picture of what was left of her face paint.

We then headed to Gigi's for lunch and pool time!

Plus Papa had poppers!  They are always fun!

We even took a field trip down the street to the Stringer's house to let the girls swim with Sarah and Rachel.  

After dinner, we went around the block to watch more fireworks from the neighbor's deck. 

Best part of these trips to the lake is always riding in Papa's truck! 

Neal and I stayed close to the house to watch the fireworks with Grandma while the kiddos went back and forth between us and the dock.  We got to watch probably a half dozen displays from where we sat!  It is such a fun and layer back way to watch fireworks each year!