Our 4th of July weekend

I have spent the last few, maybe 6 - not that few - months stressed out to the max over Day Camp. And I'd like to say I handled it beautifully, "stress, what stress?" but however, I did not.

Then add to it another week of Girl Scout Day Camp, which I wasn't in charge of.... but handed me a whole 'nother basket of crazy.

To say I needed to get away is an understatement. I really needed a beach vacation, preferably by myself, but if James wanted to come, I'd have been ok with that. Preferably a beach far, far away.

Of course, that's not gonna happen.... beaches just don't grow on trees.

So we went to the next best place.

Emily's house!

 

Jax helped me pack.

Which meant bringing the two most important things of the day:

Toy gun and sunscreen....

Which he then sprayed in his eyes....

Which, of course, can only be remedied by bandaids.

Naturally.

 Mother of the year award.... but when things happen, we HAVE to snap the pic, ask questions later. And this hilariously played out in a matter of 2 minutes, max. I was lucky to even get a picture! Thankfully, I dissuaded him from putting the second bandaid on.

Being the procrastinator I am... I had the kids make their 4th of July shirts a few hours before we needed to leave. I crossed fingers and toes that they'd be dry.

This is probably the 3rd year I've had them make shirts.... and YES, it would be MUCH easier to buy the $5 Target 4th shirt.... and probably cuter, too. But for some reason, the crafty beast inside me wants them to MAKE them. Forthelove.

So we do.

Crafty beasts cannot be ignored.

We got to San Antonio Thursday night in time for bed.... we stayed up for a bit, talking and cuddling Ollie. Emily has a lovely set up at her house... including a comfy queen sized bed, which makes for a very good night's sleep.

The next day we attempted to go to a parade... in my mind, a parade is where you go and sit along the street and watch it... then leave.

Well, the parade we were trying to get to was in the middle of a festival of sorts. A FIESTA, if you will. We took one look and saw dollars being spent on various activities, tears being shed because of said dollars running out. So.... we left.

And instead, went to eat at a yummy restaurant called Chachos.

Love my girls in their polka-dot-y shirts.

Ollie entertained us with smiles... such a happy fella.

James and I decided to "split" the infamous KONG nachos. This picture doesn't do it justice... but the look on Jax's face describes it perfectly. THE KONG.

Cheese... cheese... and more cheese. And some meat mixed in here and there.

After eating a disgustingly absurd amount of cheese... we went home to swim. My kids were ecstatic about this... they LOVE Emily & Jed's pool. Turns out Ollie loves it too.

We had plans that night to go to Jed's parents house, that's out in the country, and shoot some fireworks. We stopped by a stand to buy some.... holy expensive batman.

Jax got to see a monster truck.... he's so going to own one of these one day in the far distant future! Hopefully by then they'll invent some sort of monster truck elevator, so he can take his old momma for a spin.

Back to fireworks - they must make a pretty penny!

"discount"

heh.

If we ever buy our own fireworks again.... note to self: spend that pretty penny and buy MORE.
Cause it's FUN.

More, I tell ya!

We usually have some fearful, ear-covering children for the big boom-y fireworks.

But for some reason we had no tears this year.... no complaints here.

Maybe it was the massive headgear??



Bella smiled thru the whole production.... which was odd, since this is her least favorite holiday.

And we were maybe 10 feet from the action.....I know, uber safe....

but fearing for your life makes it just that much more fun! ha. Gets the heart racing a bit when you thing that power flower screamer snake is coming right for ya.

I hate this picture of me....I promise no one spiked the punch.

But holy cuteness, looked at Ollie's face. He's a keeper, that one.

Not a sleeper, tho.... Well, I take that back, I guess he sleeps... he just has a habit of getting up at certain times at night. Ah, babies.... they're crazy, I tell ya!

Emily is doing a smashing job at this whole motherhood gig. I had no doubts....

This is actually what you would call a "generational" picture...

I used to change Em's diapers and she changes Ollie's. Shirley that's what they meant, right?

 I'm so glad Emily & Jed live so close. I wish all my siblings lived this close!

But I'm thankful they opened their home to us for the weekend... it was the getaway I needed. Laughter, hugs, and baby snuggles can cure what ails ya.

The End. Kinda.

On the 4th of July, we did a little bit of sight seeing in the area. One place we stopped off at (after getting another huckleberry shake, yum) was a grassy area behind the Wallace Chamber of Commerce. It had a bunch of old mining equipment out on display for kids to look at and even play on.

Papa helping Jax sound the alarm.

It was a very HAPPY day. No other way to really describe it. We really enjoyed one another's company.

Watching the stream/river/watersource. 

He loves his daddy (even more than he loves to be picked up...which is saying A LOT).

After visiting Wallace, where we thought we would find more 4th festivities but the town was pretty empty, we headed in the opposite direction on I90, to check out an old Mission.

Not 100% sure I was allowed to take pictures inside of it...so I'll only post one, ha, but it was too beautiful inside not to show! Everything was hand-carved and so intricate, the picture doesn't do it justice. 

We traipsed around the grounds, checking out an old cemetery and some other replicas of old buildings. 

Jax and his Uncle Topher (who is a SENIOR this year....ummm, what?!) So thankful for the time the kiddos got to spend with him, he's quite a nice fella.

The original mission was put together using these things (MommaLove knows MUCH more about it than I do, this is why you blog SOONER, so you don't forget the little details and why you took the picture!). I thought it was so cool that there weren't any nails.

We stayed at the Mission till it closed, then headed back to Kellogg to eat some dinner and catch the fireworks. The temperature dropped a few degrees and we were CHILLY!

Papa and Daddy walked over to the fireworks stand and got a few sparklers.

Jaxson snuggled with Grammy.

We "shared" some curly fries....or maybe I ate most of them, who knows.

Sparklers make me happy. 

They also make Bella happy....being the only type of firework she likes, since they are QUIET.

Jaxson snuggled with Daddy (the boy gets around...).

Mommy snuggled with Bella and prepared to clamp my hands over her ears for the big boom show.

So....maybe we could have gotten a bit closer, ha! But it was still a pretty show Ü and really, being there together as a family was the best part of the whole night!

4th of July

A.dor.able.
We spent most of our 4th in the pool...since it was a-bajillion degrees outside.

James taught Bella how to snorkle.

The girl is seriously a fish.

We feel SO lucky to have gramma and grampa around.

My mom will probably shoot me when she see's I've posted this picture....but I love it, because the look on Aube's face is just pure joy. Some of my best memories are with my grandma. I'm so glad my kids are making those kinds of memories, too.

We also tried to teach Jax how to swim with floaties.

Um, yeah.
He's still a little young for that.

(Don't worry...he totally survived)

The boy just wants to jump outta your arms and SWIM, geez louise.

We also made smores.

Wish we had a firepit (one day...soon...when its not a-bajillion degrees out and you can actually do yardwork without melting)....but the defunct grill will do, too!

Bella's face says: what the hey,  mom?!

For the fireworks show, we went over to a ward members house.
They live on a hill overlooking the Lonestar Park, where they have a good fireworks show. There was someone playing patriotic songs on an accordian, accompanied by a trumpet. It was cheesy, yet oddly....for lack of a better word....neat.

Fun fun day...finally blogged.

Looking forward to next year!

'Twas a hot and sweaty morn.....

But we couldn't have asked for better company!

It's become quite the tradition {only 2 years in the making} to attend the Arlington 4th of July parade.

This year we were joined by our newest Texas residents Ü and our neighborhood friends, the Hawkins. And doughnuts. Lots and lots of Shipley's doughnuts.

The expression on Jax's face in this pictures says to me:
Lady....I'm busy with this delicious bit of heaven.

Did you all know that I had twins?

Seriously....no two little girls were ever more perfect for each other.

When I first looked at this picture, I SERIOUSLY thought "which one is Aube?"

Hannah says:

WHY AM I UP THIS EARLY?!

A seriously cute pile of mess right there.

The only time I've ever wanted to lick the kids hands. Eeeeewyum.

This picture embodies the 4th for me.

Run little Cub scout, run!

Oh, Cowboy take me away....

Kidding...

kinda.

Heck yeah, we're patriotic, yo!

And hightly disappointed that they didn't hand out flags this year!

But thanks for the newspaper flag.....

My little man....not to be confused with this little man.

I cannot believe how fast time flies!

My favorite float!

Genius.

Speaking of floats...we've decided to have a family float next year. We had quite fun deciding what would be on the float, and who would be sitting where. And we would most definitely be throwing out candy! What's up with no candy being thrown!?

I ♥ the Elvis motorcyclists.

And all Jax wanted to do the whole time was...

run away.

Looking forward to next year!

{And maybe posting about this on time....so I can remember all the witty things I wanted to say! ha!}