Let Freedom Ring . . .

There are so many pictures from our fantastic, festive, fun Fourth of July weekend.  How do I narrow it down?!  Hmm, I'll just post all of them.  hehe. 

I love celebrating the birth of our country, and reflecting on how grateful I am for the freedoms I enjoy.  I love the principals and ideals our country was founded on when it gained it's independence.  I love singing the National Anthem.  I love all the traditions that accompany this holiday - BBQs, fireworks, parades, family time, red white and blue decor, American Legion breakfasts, memorial services, etc.  Although I am not the most patriotic person out there, during this holiday I love to reflect on my family members who are - especially those who were and are willing to risk their lives and give their all serving our country and defending our freedoms. 

Oh, I love my country. 

God bless the United States of America! 

Now, on to those before mentioned pictures.  The day started with my dad taking the kids to the pancake breakfast at 8am, and was jam-packed full of fun until they fell asleep during the fireworks at 11pm.

I'll try to keep the rest of this short and sweet . . . enjoy the pictures! 

First, Lunch and lounging at Chuck and Melissa's, aka Gramma and Grampa's. 

We took lots of family shots while we were over there, as you can see.  I just couldn't resist when we were all in our match-y-ness.  We ate a delish lunch prepared by KC, chatted, helped stuff/address envelopes for Ash and Joe's wedding, kiddies played outside, etc.  Fun and relaxed. 

Fourth of July Parade, Marquette Style! 

Ethan, Chuck, Anna, Ben and I went to watch the parade.  (We left Caleb with Melissa and Ashley.)  It was a big hit with the kiddies, especially since there was tons of candy, and it wasn't nearly as hot as last year. And I of course had to include the traditional picture of my dad taking a picture of us during the parade.  (He always participates in the parade with the Boy Scouts and the kids love seeing him.) 

Making our Traditional Flag Cake!

The kids loved helping me with this.  They were so cute.  They were very proud of the finished product.  And the cake was so tasty!  Hmm, whipped cream topping is my fave! 

A few random shots I just had to include: 

1)  Ethan dancing.  Adorable.  hehe.  2)  A cute shot of us.  Wait.  Scratch that.  A cute shot of me . . . Ethan, um, not so much.  hehe.  3)  My festive toenails.  Just ignore the dry, callused feet. . . I need a pedicure!

Picnic at Beth and Stuart's!

My sister invited the siblings, my parents, and my grandparents over for dinner on the Fourth.  Yummy food!  Good conversation!  And football!  The first picture shows Hudson (my brother's son) and Caleb playing a little football, and the second pic shows Ethan and James (my sister's son) playing a little football - while Anna and Ben-Ben cool off in the pool.  Fun family gathering! 

Finally, FIREWORKS!

Since we're so far north, fireworks don't typically start until right before 11pm.  Super late for our kiddos (we did leave Caleb at home with my dad).  But, we thought we'd give it a try this year since we hadn't the last two years.  We picked up Chuck and Melissa on the way, and headed to South Beach - our favorite spot to watch the fireworks.  Anna and Benjamin started off "brave" - having fun with the sparklers and smoke bombs, playing in the sand, and seeing the fireworks some other people on the beach were lighting off, as we waited for the real show. 

Then, things changed.

Ben-Ben got more and more nervous, which required more and more snuggling from . . . everyone.  See below.  And he fell asleep before the real fireworks even started!  Geesh.  Anna was fine until the loud fireworks started, then she needed to be sitting in some one's lap, with her hands AND their hands over her ears.  Then she fell asleep half way through the show.  Good grief.  And we got sprinkled on too.  Anyway, it was still pretty fun and I love the pictures I got, but I think we'll wait a few more years before we try that again. 

What a fun day!  What a long day!  What a long post!