We Love the Fourth!!!

Our family really does love the Fourth of July - the celebration of freedom, the unity of a nation, and the food is not bad either! This crew loves ice cream and bbq, friends. We began celebrating the Thursday before at our city's party in the park. Popcorn, inflatables, a movie on a huge screen, balloons, and 98 degree heat - what else could we have asked for? Last minute decision to go, but we had a great time just "being" there with the hundreds of others who had decided to show up. My mom came in town Friday to spend the night and take Bear home with her the next day. She was a brave lady, folks. That kiddo of mine is a handful! And, she took him for 3 days. He absolutely loved it! All the attention - no sharing - he enjoyed every minute! While he was gone, E and I took the two big kids to the lake with our sweet friends again. Two days of riding on the boat and swimming....now, that is the way to celebrate July 4th!! We had a blast!! We saw some of this: And, we even saw this: Whoo Hoo, Buddy!!! Way to go!! He made it up on his second time out! Yay!! My children have been to the lake twice this summer...and have really liked it! We sure appreciate our buddies for the invite!! These two have had so much fun! After the lake, we headed to an annual party where we watch fireworks with new and old friends. We look forward to it every year. Hope everyone had a fun-filled, thankful heart filled holiday!