July 2012: Happy 4th of July!

Happy first 4th of July to Adelyn!! She was ready to rock this holiday in her red, white, and blue outfit (thanks to Grandma Carmack and Old Navy!)

Well, the 4th of July was crazy hot...so we did what we do best...got the family together and sat in some water:) 

Every year, my aunt Terri hosts a 4th of July pool party, complete with family, friends, food, drink and fun...for ALL Ages!! 

And this year, because it is an "Olympic Year" and the summer games will be starting soon, we even had some "pool olympic" games that we all had to take part in! And yes, the kids winners all got medals!! 

It really was a hot and humid day here in Minnesota (actually, it's been so hot and humid here that I can't remember the last summer that that it wasn't like this!) and so literally, we just had to stay in the water to keep cool. Addi loved chillin in the water, and all the attention that she got! She even got a medal for the olympic games (actually, I think she stole it from her cousin Brady)

I just love having a big family!! So many cousins...so many kids...so many adults...just people everywhere! Of course the day wouldn't be complete without some diving board fun. This was Tyson's first time jumping off the diving board! 

And we had the little pool ready to go for Addi...and cousins Gracie and Madi got to join the fun in that pool too! They sure do love their cousin Addi:) 

After the pool party, we went home so Addi could take a looonnnnngggggg nap! She was spent. After sleeping for nearly 3 hours, we had to wake her up at 8pm so that we could venture downtown Stillwater for a spectacular fireworks show! While we were waiting for the fireworks to begin, Addi played with her new glow necklace...

And some more cousins (from the other side of the family) joined us downtown also (mother/daughter shot!!)

And the fireworks began...and they were great!! Music and everything:)

We all watched in Awe. There's just something mesmerizing about watching fireworks...and celebrating the independence that we all have. (A shout out and a HUGE thank you to all of you that have helped make that possible!)

(I know this picture is blurry...but it was so cute how Adelyn stood up on Brady and held onto him as she finished watching the fireworks show)

Overall...a fantastic day, spent with the people I love!!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!