"The Best Fourth of July Ever."

The Fourth of July is our favorite family holiday. The combination of the sunny weather and all of the festivities = fun. This year, our day began with a yummy breakfast and parade-watching at our good friends' house. 

Our family of three . . . not for long. Ellie has told me twice that baby brother is coming this Saturday, but I'm not so sure.

Ellie and Jayne always have a blast together.
I caught this short snippet of them wiggling their bums to the band music:

Love this woman so much!

These two love each other like crazy too. 

After hitting up the local carnival and getting Ellie a much-needed nap, we had my parents, some family friends from Australia, and my sister and her husband over for a little BBQ. Clay is becoming quite the grill master.


Then it was time to wait for what we call the "Cul de Sac of Fire" to begin. Our next-door neighbors set off tons of awesome fireworks before the Stadium of Fire ones.  Ellie had some qt with our downstairs neighbors' kitten while we waited.

I love this little lady and her hugs.

When the fireworks started, Ellie wasn't so sure. She's always been sensitive to sounds. But with Clay's genius idea of using headphones and a little reassurance from us, she was tentatively fascinated. 

After the show got going a little bit, she loosened up and started loving her first firework show. 

When we were getting her ready for bed, Ellie said, "That was the best Fourth of July ever." We agree.