4th of July Weekend!

This year we got the privilege of staying in Minnesota for the 4th of July. Every year since I met Loren we have spent this holiday down in Missouri with the Appleberry's. And even though it was different to not be with them.... it was fun to be back in my hometown spending the 4th how I remember doing it when I was younger!
And let me tell you... the weekend was packed full of fun events!

Thursday we got to walk in a carnival in support of our Uncle Branden! Which I mentioned in my last post.

Friday the babes and I took a little trip to Grandma's pool and then made some yummy 4th of July cupcakes.


Saturday we headed over to the Coon Rapids Carnival. The babes got to run around, play in the fields, eat mini doughnuts, and the most exciting part of the night... they got to go on a few rides!

Now let me just stop to mention that this was Tuck's very FIRST time going on a ride... EVER! And boy did he have fun!!!


Just look at that sweet little face... it says it all!

We just had soooo much fun that night! It was definitely a baby book moment and a great memory to keep!

Then Sunday, the actual 4th... we got together with my family to swim, eat pizza and then go see fireworks!
I was a little apprehensive about Tuck being able to stay up that late and make it through fireworks, which was great that my Mom offered to keep him with her at her house since her and my Dad were planning on watching them from the deck. So babe #1... solved.
Onto Greta.
Greta has only been alive long enough to see three 4th of July fireworks shows. Too which all of them have been in Missouri where it's not an actual "show" as it is the men in the family blowing stuff up and the women and kids up on the deck watching and praying no one loses a finger! And at that, she has still always been scared! So again, I was a little apprehensive as to how she would do this year.

But we decided it was time! Since we were home in good ole' Coon Rapids, Minnesota we knew we wanted to take her to see fireworks at the same place me and my family have gone every year since I was younger.
And actually, the night started out good....

Walter was there...

... and Mommy & Daddy were there...

...even Joanna was there! Greta's BFF.
(which happens to be my youngest cousin. So that would make Greta & Joanna 2nd, maybe 3rd cousins?!)

Anyways, all was well till the actual fireworks started!

Then Greta became scared, terrified, and started to cry. And this is where she spent the majority of fireworks... hiding in her stroller cuddled up with Walter. - who was also a little scared!

But the sweetest part didn't come until after we had walked the long 2 mile walk back to our car. Once we got in and started driving home, Greta became quite the "chatty cathy", full of energy!
She went on to tell us how she was not scared of the fireworks. - (ummm, okay?!) haha.

She said that "fireworks are beautiful!" "They look like flowers but sound like thunder!"

Isn't she the cutest?!

So all in all we had a great 4th of July weekend! A nice long weekend with family is always something to cherish!

And speaking of that, we are headed down to Missouri this weekend to spend some time with the Appleberry's and attend Loren's 10 Year High School Reunion! Can you believe it.... 10 years?! Wow. And mine is just next year as well!
So this is what it feels like to become old and a grown up!

Well wish us luck and safe travels as we make the long drive with 2 babes and a wiener dog!

Hope you all had a great 4th of July weekend as well!

Chat later,

Jen