Happy Independence Day 2017!

Sparklers are always a big hit!

This year baby girl got to hold one! Sadly she burned herself and will probably be traumatized for life :(...... big time Mom fail.

We had a wonderful 4th of July this year! It was hot (go figure) and full of good food, the sound of children's laughter, and fun conversations :). I was in charge of the dessert this year, so in honor of the red, white, and blue spirit, I made a strawberry shortcake trifle! It had layers of shortcake, berries, and creamy pudding and I topped it off with my own rendition of the American flag made out of blueberries and strawberries! It was beautiful, but sadly, by the time I got it to the party, the berries had started to sink into the pudding and it didn't look so great :(. Oh well, it tasted fantastic!! And the time spent in the kitchen with my baby helper was priceless :). Have I mentioned how happy teaching my kids how to cook makes me?! There's something so fun and cozy about it and I cherish each memory.....

Don't you just want to eat her up?! Don't worry, she doesn't normally have a pacifier, she just happened to find that at the bottom of the toy chest and refused to part with it ;).

We went to Grandma Helm's  house that afternoon and spent the rest of the day outside! We ate a ton of food, the kids swam in the awesome pool Great Grandma splurged on for them, and we had fun with pop-its and sparklers! Such great memories! Uncle Ken and Aunt Diana were there too which was awesome because Ken had been in the hospital the week before for a blood clot. So it was good to see him up and about! Sadie showed up late (as always) and brought her latest boyfriend with her. He was nice,  but I'll give him another month before she dumps him. That girl is infamous for throwing boys away like trash.....

The picture with my awesome dessert! I wish I had gotten a before shot :(.

We don't get much time with my Dad, so it's comforting to hang out with his brother. They have so many similar traits! It makes me smile :).

Lounging in the shade and enjoying the day. PERFECTION!

Sweeping up the leftover pop-its! Such good children :).

Just look at that smile :).

Watermelon in the summer is always a good idea! So is cuddling with Daddy :).

Evie's not shy!

Decisions, decisions.....

Oh how I love my boys!

Evie was nice and shared her olives with Grandma haha!

The amazing shark pool! They had a blast!

Evie gathering up all the rubber duckies hehe!

This woman means the world to me and my family. Doesn't she have the cutest smile?!

Grandma wanted a family picture :)

Helping Evie figure out the whole sparkler thing. At first she was too scared..... then she burned herself and had good reason to fear :(.

But Austin wasn't scared!

Doubling up like a pro!

Even Daddy got in on the sparkler action!

Once the sun started to set, we took the party to the golf course! This is my absolute favorite tradition with Grandma and is possibly the best kept secret in Boulder City! We lay out our blankets on the lawn and watch the kiddos run around on the grass, happily laughing and screaming with glee! Then, once it gets dark enough, the glow sticks come out! We always forget to bring our own but there's always a kind soul around us who is willing to share! The kids had a great time throwing their glow sticks up in the air and running around wild until the show began and they were entranced by the sky! Oh how I love hearing little voices say "WOWwww!!" and "OH LOOK!" My Mama heart was in heaven :). I can still feel the warmth of that summer night and smell the sweet smell of the grass. Those are some memories I hope I never forget! And how lucky are our children that they get to have such beautiful memories with their Great Grandma?!

Running wild with abandon.

Hanging out and chatting while the sun goes down...

My whole world.

I always want to remember this blanket. It belongs to Grandma and has been with us on more picnics and firework shows than I can count :). It's the little things like a blanket that makes its appearance at every happy event that creates the most beautiful memories :).