{Super Long} 4th of July Post...

that's right...

This is a Super Long post...

And it's late when I am typing this...

and my brain is getting a bit mushy...

so it will be mostly pictures and few words.

Seriously pictures are far more

fun than words anyhow...

at least that's what I think!

~

We are lucky that we live just one block off the 

parade route...

so we simply walk down the alley and enjoy the parade!

Jon gets up super early though and goes and 

puts out our chairs to 

reserve our spot. 

Some people set theirs out the night before...

the parade is a pretty big thing around here!

 

 Angelina was a super girl through the parade...

she didn't even flinch when the LOUD firetrucks 

went by...

the curse of being the 3rd born, I guess!

 After the parade everyone walked back 

down the alley for the 

big BBQ at our house.

I love hosting the 4th!

 Last year we had the Jump Castle...

this year we went a little more low key

and simply bough 

several cans of shaving cream!

Like about 12 cans!

The kids all voted that the shaving cream

was way more fun

than the jump castle!

{not to mention about $100 cheaper too!}

 I think James probably had an entire can

of shaving cream on his back!

 They had a blast!

We had shaving cream all over!

Good thing it washes off with a little dish soap!

 While the kids were on the lower part of the lawn

with the shaving cream,

the adults were able to relax in the shade at the 

top of the hill!

 My favorite thing about the 4th is 

the laid-back kind of day that it is...

This year all of we girls got a 

burst of energy mid-day and 

walked up town...

just to bring my sister's boyfriend

a piece of cake.

 Some of the cousins...

and the little aunties.

 We spray painted stars on the entire lawn...

how festive is that!?

 Love our cook!

Jon is the BBQ king...

he looks for any excuse to use the grill.

And if a beer can be in his hand,

its even better!

 After round 2 of eating...

we all head up to fireworks!

 Every year our group gets a 

little bit bigger!

Last year the fire works were cut short because

of tornado sirens...

this year the weather was perfect!

 It was a very full and fun day!