This weekend marked the first weekend of two that will be spent celebrating 4th of July festivities. It's a weekend that my boys literally look forward to for the entire year, almost more than Christmas.
And that's all because of fireworks.
![IMG_0907](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/14360832017_6f87d18f41_z.jpg)
This is our fourth year to go to the fireworks at the crosses (you can see previous years by clicking here: 2011|2012|2013). It was a hit this year just like previous years. Even Tyler was amazed. Each firework was met with a chubby little finger pointing to the sky and the littlest buddy yellowing "OHHHH!!!!"
We met up with several friends again this year. I love having this tradition with our kids... so fun to watch them grow up each year.
![IMG_0886](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14546448162_e8de284a8c_z.jpg)
The minute we got there my kids declared they were hungry. I feel like social events stir the stomach more than hunger itself.
![IMG_0881](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14547406705_21edc55f2c_z.jpg)
Tyler absolutely LOVED climbing into the camping chairs and hanging out. He would play peek-a-boo with the people behind us, and throw in a dancing jig for good measure.
![IMG_0887](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14524283966_6e2acc03e0_z.jpg)
Brayden asked to take a picture of us... and it actually turned out half way decent!
![IMG_0895](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14543932871_71b05ac52f_z.jpg)
So. Many. Kids.
![IMG_0898](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14543919501_b128a1cf00_z.jpg)
Right before the fireworks started I looked over and saw my two older two sitting with three of their very best friends. Just like this. Unprompted. My heart melted in a big puddle. These kids have literally grown up together since they were born.
We also spent a good amount of time at our house this weekend, just hanging out as a family unit. Truthfully, that is probably my favorite thing to do on the weekends. Looking ahead to our fall, I can tell you that I will cherish it even more. Schedules with two kids in sports is CRAZY. I told Drew that I felt like I'll be living out of my van all fall. Ha!
![_MG_8039](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/14552186811_1930259614_z.jpg)
Connor asked to take the training wheels off his bike. We always start the kids off in the grass, that way the fall is a bit more cushioned.
![_MG_8047](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/14369065617_e0745040fd_z.jpg)
the experience was rather a downer for Connor, who ended the bit in tears, slammed the door and said that he hated his bike. He's just a bit dramatic when he's angry/upset (I'm afraid he gets that from me)
![_MG_8055](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14553847854_e70c646752_z.jpg)
Brayden asked me to take pictures of him jumping on the trampoline. I cannot believe how flexible he is! It cracks me up because neither Drew or I are flexible AT ALL.
![_MG_8057](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/14368969027_638868bb31_z.jpg)
![_MG_8072](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14553687464_4d2a507f12_z.jpg)
Connor attempted a toe touch too.
![_MG_8079](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14553634534_4716b7da77_z.jpg)
He's got the Michael Jordan tongue going on...
![_MG_8113](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/14553383024_1e77c14b0e_z.jpg)
Brayden freaks me out because he attempts to flip.
And in other news, our garden is finally producing a few things! We enjoyed our first meal this week with some of the zuchinni and squash. Brayden informed me, rather angrily, that I was feeding him things that make him throw up. At which point I hid my laughter and realized I have become my mother (she used to make our vegetables, much to our objections when we were younger, and I have vivid memories of me choking down cooked carrots, trying desperately not to throw up).
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![_MG_8036](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14532526936_3496a95902_z.jpg)
These are Drew's little experiment this summer (the plants, not Brayden)... root watered bucket tomato plants. They are GINORMOUS. I know nothing about how it works, only that they are about 10 times bigger than our plants that are in the garden plot.