Happy Independence day!

 The fourth was super fun this year.  We stayed home and enjoyed friends and family for the day!!  Usually we are with either extended family, but this year it was just our little family and our fun neighbors.

 We started off the celebrations with a triathalon the night before.  In the neighborhood just across from ours, several families have pools, so we luckily got invited to join in on their fun.

 Pictures of the kids gearing up for the big competition.

 Cute picture of Kate and Sam with their medals. click here to see the finish for SAM and NATE: TRI FINISH SAM & NATE

 There wasn't any place-ings it was all for fun, but my boys all did their best and it was fun to watch.

 I didn't get a picture, but Natie about drowned in the swim but a really great neighbor jumped in fully clothed to save him.  Taylor and I were both watching, but apparently we thought he was okay. haha.  Thank goodness for nicer parents than us on duty!!! :)

 A little muscle show off and medal bragging rights by the boys.

This cute girl is 11 months tomorrow!  Here is a cute video of her giggling.  Belly laughs are my ABSOLUTE favorite. NAOMI'S BELLY LAUGH

 Then the next day was full of fun activities and SUGAR!!!  they rented some blow up water slides, had a dunk tank.  Click here for the video: LUKE GETS DUNKED Had snow cones and cotton candy and chips and dip.....

 and ping pong competitions and the whole shabang.

 The boys all got their faces painted too... I thought I had a picture of them, but it must have been on T's phone.  But you can see the results on the boys  below. pretty sweet eh?

 Then never to be let down, Uncle Steve always does the best firework shows in the neighborhood.  You can see the huge bonfire of carnage in the background picture above.

 We were glad the Morrills came for  a little bit to celebrate with us too.

 Boys and fire.  Is kind of like Chocolate and Peanut Butter.  Nothing could be better (in their eyes at least).  I love this picture below... Portor broke his femur in a tubing accident last week.  He was bound to the wheel chair.  But his cousins took good care of him so he wasn't left out and he had a great night too.  Cooper and Luke to the rescue!!

Sure grateful to live in this great country and have all the freedoms we could ever want.  I'm proud to be an AMERICAN!