4th of July at Nana and Pop's

On the 4th we went to Nana and Pop's for our usual 4th of July food and celebration. My brother, Nick, was visiting so he came along with us. As usual the food was great and we had a very enjoyable time. We didn't go out to the fireworks show this year but opted to stay at home and do sparklers with the kids instead of fighting the crowd. It was a good decision, but I think Ava really missed the fireworks.

Ava was excited. but nervous about the sparklers. She started off very scared, but by the end she couldn't get enough. Harrison was more hesitant, but seemed to enjoy it. This is one of my favorite things we do every year. I love trying to make designs turn out using the sparklers. After that, out 4th is complete.

Loving on my cheesy boy.

Harrison loves loving on his cousin, Liam.

Harrison and Pop

Liam

Aunt Tiffy and Liam

The kids and Pop on the hammock

Aunt Bethany and Liam

Mommy and Ava

Nana and Ava

Ava

Mommy and Harrison

Ava ana Pop

Ava

4th of July - Festive Wear on the 3rd and 4th

Here are a few pictures of the kids "Festive Wear" for the 4th. A couple of these were taken before church on he 3rd and the others were right before leaving for the Rogers' cookout on the 4th. Ava still fit into the same dress as last year, so we just kept with that! I love that dress and thought it was just as cute this year!

4th of July Festivities - Cookout on the 2nd

This past weekend we had our 2nd Annual Rogers/Freeman family cookout. My parents we able to make it down and the Rogers group came over for a nice family cookout. My mother actually rode back with us on our trip back from Indiana and stayed a couple of days with us before the cookout.

Just like last year, Ava and Grammy made chocolate covered pretzel rods, we hung out while the food was cooking, we chowed down on some delicious food, and we donned some festive 4th headgear for our annual family picture.

As usual, I loved having everyone over and it was good to have our families blended together with the addition of the Murphy clan this year. A nice way to celebrate a lovely holiday that has more to do with family and patriotism, then with giving presents. I like holidays like that. :)

Visiting with the Great-Grandmothers in KY

On our way back home from Indiana we had enough time while waiting for my mom to get off work that we got to stop by and visit with both Great-Grandmothers (My grandmas). Ava and Harrison loved playing with Mammaw's dog, Poncho, and then Trayton and Libby were able to meet us at Nanny's for a little visit.



It was nice to get to visit with everyone because we are usually so rushed that we never make the rounds, but on this day, everything worked out and we had a great visit with each of them. It is a great thing to be able to see my children with their great-grandmothers and I am happy to be able to spend that time with them. Sometimes living away from home it is rush, rush, rush to see everyone when in town for just a few hours, but I was so happy we got to see them all this time.