July 4th weekend

 This July 4th was different than other years...mainly because for the first time we didn't actually go and see the fireworks.  Charlie and I decided this year we would opt out of sitting in traffic for an hour and chasing Ezekiel around the field trying to convince him that sitting and watching fireworks is fun. haha  Maybe next year!  :)  But we had a lot of fun during the 3 day weekend just hanging out with friends and family and enjoying each other.

 Our 3 day weekend started out by going to a surprise party for our good friend Chris. (this is his surprise face..haha)

 the guys hanging out

 The kids SUPER excited because they finally caught a firefly!  They had been trying all night long!  

 One of my most favorite things about summer- hanging out with friends...kids chasing fireflies...eating smores around a campfire and all the guys jamming out on their guitars.  :)))))

 Me and my Becky! :)

 Me and my Charlie!  ;)

 Charlie and the kids made Charlie's favorite cookies-Chocolate Oaties (the no bake cookies)

 In the process of making cookies Annabella came down with the hiccups.  Well, Charlie has an age old remedy for that one- a spoon full of sugar.  The kids LOVE it (of course) and it actually works! 

 The kids are on a painting kick.  They want to paint every day...I told them we are gonna run out of paper, but then we decided we would put it to good use and start wrapping presents with it.  (So if you receive any gifts with pink painted paper, you'll know why! hehe)

 This was on July 4th.  We had a cookout with a bunch of friends and the kids just stayed in the water the whole time. Well, actually that's not really true.  Ezekiel and Malachi wanted to get their clothes on and then next thing I know they are outside in their nice warm clothes rolling in the mud. So then my friend give them some skirts and tank tops (she only has girls) to wear! It was pretty awesome! haha  But then...they ran outside AGAIN when i wasn't looking and got in the mud!  Ahhh!  Boys will be boys!  :)

Here is Ezekiel sporting his nice scalloped tank top with girl soccer shorts and some fashionable goggles for his accessory...of course all covered in mud.  :)

Malachi will find a guitar anywhere!  I love that he loves music so much...although I don't know how he couldn't being Charlie's son and all.  :)

All the guys played croquet and they got pretty into it...haha. 

 I hope you all had a great weekend too whether it was filled with fireworks or just snuggling with your favorite people!!!