Happy 4th of July!

Holidays are a big deal at our house.  We love to celebrate any and everything!  For us the 4th of July is not only special because we get to celebrate the freedom of the amazing country we live in but it is also Jeremy and my mothers birthdays!  We always go home to the small town we grew up in since they have a big celebration for the 4th.  When I was young my Uncle (who wasn't married yet) started a tradition of all the grand kids (and grandma) having a big sleep over out on his lawn the night before the 4th.  Throughout the years he and his wife have kept this tradition and we've added lots of people!  As we all grew up and got married we now get to experience this with our kids.  This year I think they figured there were about 70 people there!

The next morning everyone gets up early and heads over to the parade. Here's my two cuties waiting for the parade!

My mom made all of the girl grand kids these adorable dresses!  I can't tell you how many times we were stopped by people asking where we got the adorable dress.  I love being related to such talented people!

After the parade they always have booths and fun things going on at the park.  Kate couldn't wait to ride a horse.  She loved it- I think riding lessons may be in the future for her. Luckily her cousins have a pony so we can always visit him when we're visiting! 

Later in the day we got to have two birthday parties- one at my house for my mom and later we got to go to a barbecue at Jeremy's sisters house to celebrate with his mom.  Unfortunately since the kids were swimming we didn't get the camera out so no pictures were taken!  Later that night we headed in to town to watch the fireworks.  Every year my parents make humongous batches of caramel and butter popcorn and bring it for everyone to eat while watching fireworks.  This year a thunderstorm decided to come right before the fireworks but luckily stopped just in time.  It was nice and cool- and a great way to end the 4th!