Our Fun 4th

Lots of pictures on this post!

We had a great 4th of July yesterday. We started off our morning with the Grand Ole Fourth Parade! Brady and Cameron were asked to march in the parade for the swim team. They needed to help pass out fliers and candy and encourage the public to vote YES on the bond to build a new pool out here on our side of town! It would be a wonderful facility and we hope it passes! So while the boys are marching in the parade, me, Jeff and the girls were waiting to get pictures of them!

Here's Ally and Maddie waiting for the parade to start.

Here come the swim team! Brady took this responsibility very seriously. You could hear him telling the crowd to "Vote Yes!"

Apparently he was also trying to get a tootsie roll out of his teeth at the same time. Nice.

Some of the kids brought scooters to ride and Cameron got a turn. They loved being in the parade and helping get the word out about the new pool!

Maddie thought the sirens on the fire truck and ambulance were just a little too loud.

After the parade was over, we mosied ourselves over to the family BBQ! Maddie LOVED finding some independence in the pool. She is a little fearless. I won't mention her terrifying experience that lasted about 6 seconds. All is well. Take a deep breath...

The kids just love their cousins. And I'm so glad their cousins love playing with them. This is Taylor - aka "The Kracken". He is so fun to have in the pool and as you can see, my kids adore him. They don't leave his side when he's in a playful mood.

Everyone decided to show off a little with some crazy dives and jumps, some cannonballs, you name it.

Then much to Brady and Cameron's delight, the big boys were getting competitive and were trying to see who could launch someone the farthest! It was pretty funny to watch. Brady and Cameron loved every second of it!

Of course a little game of chicken had to be played. But as soon as tears are shed, the game is over.

Yeah, this didn't last long.

More of my kids cousins! :) It's true!

It's always fun getting together with our family and BBQing. We had a great day yesterday with lots of great food, and made lots of great memories!





Oh, and Maddie couldn't keep her hands off the corn on the cob! She ate 6 pieces and was still asking for more! Look at her belly. It's just about to pop!



Of course the night ended with a spectacular fireworks show at the baseball stadium. Where we were sitting we could see the fireworks show down at the river, too! While we were sitting watching all the fireworks, one of the great big ones went off and Cameron said, "WOW! That one made my cheeks wiggle!" I love his chubby cheeks.


But this holiday would mean nothing if it weren't for people like this:

My brother Staff Sergeant Scott E. Powell currently serving his 3rd deployment in Iraq.

I'm so grateful to live in a country where my freedom is fought for me. We truly are blessed to enjoy the freedoms that we do. I loved the Independence Day posts yesterday. Thanks ladies.

I hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend! God Bless America!