Time to celebrate!!

Bob and I host an annual 4th of July party at our house. We started doing this the first year we were in our old house and have continued doing it ever since. I love to have friends and family over to celebrate. We always have a great time and the kids look forward to it every year. I personally think they just like that they get to stay up late, eat all evening long, and set stuff on fire!


Unfortunately, this year started off with a day full of rain. It was till pouring while we were eating, so we were trying to prepare the kids for the fact that fireworks just might not happen this year. The kids found a way to entertain themselves and make the most of the rain. We had a canopy set up just outside of our garage and the kids used it to take cover after dashing in and out of the rain. They were having a blast!

Brennen, Josh, Lily, and Preston enjoying the rain!

The neighbor girls brought over some boxes of the "snappers" for the kids. They love those things.

The boys had prayed a few times during the day that the rain would stop. And their prayers were answered. Right about 8:00, the rains stopped and this was the view out our back door. Beautiful!!

The crowd quickly congregated in the back yard to check out the view.

Super happy little campers!!

Aren't they a cute bunch?!

And then it was time to start blowing things up!

Smoke bomb time!

And then it was time for parachutes! These kids are serious about their parachutes!

The hunt is on for the parachutes. At least nobody can say we littered!

Some of the "parachutes" had streamers instead of regular parachutes. These were great, except that they got wet and then stained the kids' skin. Oh well, made them look more festive, I guess!

Maddox, my little "hunter and gatherer"!

Here comes another one! Look out below!!!

Racquel diving for some streamers and losing her shoe in the process. Did I mention they are serious about these things?!!

Madison got quite the haul!

Caden was happier to catch a leftover rocket!

Sparkler time!

Sparks between brothers!

And of course there has to be a few shots of Ella's very first 4th of July celebration!

I fell in love with this dress when I was pregnant with her and bought it and the shoes before she was even born. I think she looked just beautiful in it! (But I also think she can make a diaper look chic!)

What started out as an evening where were weren't sure what it was even going to end up becoming, ended up an absolute fun, success. Everybody had a wonderful time, and we can't wait to do it again next year!!