4th of July Weekend

 Our 4th of July weekend actually started on Wednesday the 3rd. We were constantly on the go from Wednesday-Saturday! And I realize that Independence Day is not Thanksgiving, but so many times during the weekend I realized how grateful I was for several different things:

1) For our freedoms. The fact that we could go and do all of the things that we did over the weekend with out having to worry is amazing to me.

2) The old people that sat next to us at the baseball game. They were so kind and patient with our rambunctious group. But as we were leaving, they told me over and over again how great my kids were. It helped me realize that at their age, I am going to miss my babies!

3) My kids. Yes, I know they are wild at times, or whiney at times. But they are mine. I know they better than anyone else. I know how to calm them, how to negotiate with them, how to comfort them, and how to have fun with them. 

4) Our friends. Seriously, we have the best friends in the world. I love the conversations that the adults can have. I love how we can joke and be a little crude with out anyone being offended. I love the big kids that our friends have. They are so kind and sweet to my kids. They include them in their activities and they never complain about them tagging along. I also hardly held Miley anytime they were around. They love toting Miley around and I appreciate that. I also love the little kids that our friends have. They shared candy at the parade, and they are just all around good kids and our good examples to my kids. There were several times over the weekend that I was almost in tears over how my kids idolize their friends. We are so lucky to have them!

5) My husband. He totally understands when I need a break and happily takes the kids. He knows when I am overwhelmed and gladly works harder around the house to help out. He knows when I am on the verge of a breakdown and says just what I need to hear.

Ok, enough of the mushy gushy stuff. Here are the pics from the weekend!

 First time playing at the splash park

 We met up with a friend who moved to Utah last Christmas.

 We went to a Volcanoes Game

After our camping experience, we decided to leave Miley home with a babysitter. I felt bad a first, but I am so glad we did. It was such a fun night with the big kids.

 We went to a 4th of July parade with friends

 Being silly before the parade started

 Gage's favorite part of the parade

Only in Molalla - A driving port-a-potty!

 This girl was on cloud 9 with a sucker in each hand!

After the parade, we headed to the local Catholic church for a chicken lunch. It was delicious!

 Then we headed to the Molalla Rodeo. Our seats were in the shade, which was so nice.

 Miley slept for the first part

 Then she was up and ready to party!!!

 Maisey hung with the big girls

 That night we headed to Mt. Angel for the fireworks show. Miley was enjoying all of the freedom outside!

 Maisey met up with her friend from school!

The kids really enjoyed the fireworks. I wasn't sure what to expect with Miley but after the first few she relaxed and laid back to enjoy them! It was fun to snuggle with her.

 On Friday, I headed to the outlet mall to take advantage of the awesome weekend sales. I completely outfitted Maisey for school!!! It's nice to not have to worry about that for the rest of the summer. It was also nice and relaxing to walk around the mall.

 On Saturday, our friend got baptized. After the baptism everybody headed out to his Grandpa's property for a BBQ and some fun. Gage and Shaun fished for most of the time. Gage wants to catch a fish so bad. Hopefully sometime this summer!

 Gage took a little break from fishing to go on a tractor ride. 

 Miley roamed around, always with food in hand!

 After the BBQ we headed to the drive-in movies. This is one experience that we will probably wait to do again when our kids are a little older. I ended up walking around with Miley the whole time and missed the movie.

This is the "popcorn in the mouth" picture! After about 10 minutes, the novelty of the popcorn wore off and the kids got really restless.

By the time Sunday came around, we totally crashed! 

Happy Independence Day!