We have been having so much fun over this this past week. With Gracie's birthday, our anniversary, and now the 4th of July.....
Yesterday Plainfield had their Patriotic Picnic. It wasn't anything big but they did have a train ride, touch a truck, face painting, bouncy houses, and Gracie got to perform her hip hop dance routine. It was hotter than blazes out and so they cancelled the fireworks. But we did get to ride this neat train.
We got to stand in the caboose.
Then Gracie (the other 2 stayed home because of coughs and the heat) got to sit in a fire truck! We even got free firemen hats!
Then we took our seats because this girl right here was excited to show us her moves.
Here she is getting ready to perform. She hip hopped to the theme song from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" tv show. It was a very short dance number since summer dance is only 4 weeks long. I did video it but am still trying to figure out how to download it on my blog.
Today we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house where Grandpa bought a new pool! Now 5 years ago in this very spot, my dad tore down my baby. We had the best pool. It had a deep end and a slide! I loved that pool and spent MANY hours in it. I was heartbroken when he did that. I remember being due with Grace and just standing in it to help the pregnancy pains. That was the last time I was in it. Then my dad talked about building a garage back there so he poured this concrete slab. Here we are 5 years later with no garage but a new pool!
The pool is not very big but perfect for my kids. Gracie can walk around in it and the twins can stand on tiptoe in it. They LOVE it! It is the best thing right now for them! It really makes them feel like the great swimmers they are going to be!
Even Grandpa got in on the action!
But then Grandma was watering her flowers and Presley took over the hose and was out to get Grandpa.
Gracie is just becoming the little fish that I once was.
Later after naps and lunch, Daddy got to join us and come for a dip too.
Then, by 4th of July tradition, we headed to Joliet to see the fireworks. We had to find a new spot because the one we used to go to for years, was gated off. It was actually better. There was plenty of room for everyone to run around and it didn't get crowded.
Jackson came decked out in his 4th gear complete with sunglasses.
And his mommy and daddy, Anne and Mark, had matching shirts! Aw...
Before we knew it, all of our friends were there. This is by far the biggest group we have ever had at the fireworks before.
We bought some boxes of those things that you throw on the ground and they pop. The kids all loved them and Jared helped pass them out. Everyone did well except little Levi who tried to eat one. Oops!
Gracie and Scotty had a great time running around together.
Jared was quite the popular guy handing out the pop things.
Here are all the kiddies sporting their red, white, and blue.
They are a fine looking bunch if you ask me. Here we have Emma, Jackson, Levi, Allie, Sean, Mia, Presley, Gracie, Scotty, and Evie. This is one of the best pictures that we got too! I think the kids are getting used to this picture-taking thing!
And then Gracie kept asking about the sparklers so we had to pull them out. With so many kids, it made me a little bit nervous but it went well.
They had fun drawing things in the air.
We went through quite a few boxes of them too.
And Auntie Anne brought glow sticks for everyone too! Oh, and necklaces!
Gracie and Jackson are so great together. Look how sweaty they look.
Here is my family, plus 1. What's one more kid when you already have 3 right? Jackson is like part of the family anyways.
Don't these two make the cutest little couple?
It's a good thing Jessica brought a potty because we had to take a break right before the fireworks started.
We lined up our chairs and get ready to watch the show.
Everyone liked the fireworks and Gracie didn't even cover her ears this time. It must be because she is 5 now!
Happy 4th of July! God Bless America!
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