Independence Day

We love the Fourth of July at our house! There is so much fun, family, food and fireworks going on, who doesn't love it? We started our personal Freedom Celebration on the Thursday night before. We took the kids to a fireworks stand and let the boys pick out some fireworks. Aidan went crazy with all the selection, and Wyatt only wanted the "bird." After that was done, we took them all for a sno cone. When we got home, we invited our neighbors to come over and watch us light them off. It was the perfect start to our weekend.
Aidan, Ella, and Jackson doing the sparklers.

Wyatt and Brodan watching the "pretty lights."

Jeremy's sister and brother in law invites everyone over to their house every year for a huge fireworks extravaganza. Seriously, it puts the Melaluca Freedom Celebration to shame. It is so much fun! They set out a spread, we all bring blankets and camp chairs and we just chat, eat and watch, while the kids do sparklers and play with each other. I don't have any pictures of the actual fireworks, I get too caught up in the display, but here are some pictures of the cousins playing together with the sparklers.

Wyatt and Conner

Aidan, Dillan and MaKenna

Aidan and Ashley

Ashley, MaKenna and Kayleen

Then, on the Fourth, we started out the day watching Independence Day. We love that movie and watch it every year. Nothing like celebrating your freedom by watch Will Smith kick alien booty! Then we had another swimming party with Grandma and Grandpa (se post below) and a wonderful weenie roast with them. Then we took the kids to Freeman Park for the "big" fireworks show (as Aidan calls them). We always have so much fun sitting there and listening to the music and seeing the fireworks. They always make me cry. I am so thankful that I live in America and have the opportunity to raise my children the way I feel best, and worship what I believe in. Happy Birthday America!