Happy Independence Day!

We had a fabulous 4th of July this year! It was the first year Eve could actually participate (last year she was not even 3 months old), it was the first year Austin could hold a sparkler unassisted, and it was the first year we actually stayed up for the fireworks! All these firsts were so fun and so memorable!

Sparkler fun!

We spent the holiday in Boulder City with Great Grandma Helm! We all love Grandma so much! A sweeter woman on this planet you will never find! We ate sloppy joes, potato salad, and orange jello salad for lunch, along with dirt cake for dessert! There's nothing more American than that! I have a sneaking suspicion Grandma made that cake just for Austin, and the gummy worms were much appreciated! ;)

After eating, we went outside to run through the sprinklers, throw Pop-Its, light sparklers, and lounge around enjoying each others company. It was so nice and relaxing! Austin had a great time throwing the Pop-Its around with Daddy and running around the yard holding sparklers with Mommy. Evie was very jealous that she couldn't do either. We tried to let her throw a Pop-It but took it back the second it went into her mouth.....

Sprinkler fun with Grandma!

Sprinklers were the one thing Evie WAS allowed to play with! It's so hard being little....

Jumping over the water with Mommy.

Pop-Its!

Giving a couple to Daddy to throw.

Grandma has had this swing for as long as I can remember. This is the first year there is a cover over it though because the wood underneath is splintering. I have so many memories swinging away on this thing!

Enjoying the sunshine! Austin took this pic! He is turning out to be such a good little photographer!

Just chillin' with Auntie Sadie!

Love my sister!

Oh my goodness, these two and their silly selfies!

Running around with sparklers

Giving Grandma some cuddles.

Once the sun began to set, we headed over to the golf course for fireworks!! While we waited, we lit more sparklers (until we got in trouble because apparently that's not allowed) and chased the kids around the grounds! Some people behind us had glow sticks and gave each of the kids one. They were a big hit! It was past bedtime and Eve's tiredness was beginning to show. She could not hold still! I was so grateful when the fireworks started because it kept her entertained for a whole 10 minutes until she was off running around again and I was off chasing her!

I wish I could engrave Austin's reaction to the fireworks in my memory forever. He sat there on the blanket, completely enthralled! He kept saying, "OOOHHH! LOOK!" and clapping for the really big ones! It was so perfect! I just wish I could have enjoyed that moment with him longer before I had to go chase the baby....

Being little rebels with our sparklers hahaha!

It was well worth getting in trouble to get these great shots!

Graduating to holding TWO SPARKLERS at the same time! He's a pro now!

Eve was so funny (due to tiredness)! She kept wanting to put her glow stick on Sadie's face!

What a great 4th of July! We are so grateful to live in this great nation, and to raise our babies in freedom with the promise of the American dream at their fingertips! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

As we said goodbye to everyone and drove home, we had fun watching all the fireworks shoot off over the Vegas valley! Austin made us laugh as he protested over and over, "I'm not tired! I don't want to go to bed, Austin's not tired!" He was yawning each time he said this.... ;) He was also very sad about leaving his Great Grandma and kept saying, "Where's Gramma? I want to go to HER house! Austin misses Gramma...." What a lucky boy to have such a special lady in his life :).