Happy Birthday, America!

This past 4th of July was quite possibly our best ever. There were definitely some things I wish would have been better like Jackson being constipated and being grumpy. And, how I was only with Paul's family and not mine. But, other than that it was just a great family day. And, by family I mean extended family. Cousins and siblings all set aside any differences and everyone got along very well together and we just had a blast. That simple.

Our day began at Maw Maw Brown's as we have done for many many 4th of July celebrations. Good food and a wonderful yard and great company always make celebrations there memorable. We put out the slip n slide and let the kids go.

Thanks, Aunt RaRa for the extra push!

I promise we had plenty of tea for everyone! Including Preston!

Me and my boys

I love how excited little Madison looks leading the way!

Then, we took the party over to Aunt Dee Dee's house to swim in a bigger pool than the small inflatable one at Maw Maw Brown's. Aunt Dee Dee was enjoying the 4th from her home in Panama City Beach, but thankfully didn't mind her daughters and nephews and their families crashing at her house. We cooked out yet again (well, Richey, Ashley, and Robin did) there and enjoyed more delicious food and great company. Then...the grand finale came. Everyone in the pic above is enjoying the FABULOUS fireworks (not quite legal though) that Uncle Steven grabbed for us when he and Malia went to visit her family in Alabama the week before. They were awesome! Words cannot describe how prideful it is to put on your own show! :) We definitely had professional ones! Poor Paul later said he was so worried about setting a nearby tree or house on fire (we did them in the middle of the street in Ashley and Shane's neighborhood.) I don't know how much he enjoyed them, but we all sure did. Although leading up to it I was nauseous wondering if we would all end up being arrested. :) You all know how I don't break the rules often. :)

And, the pooltime was just as great as you can see...the adults had just as much fun as the kids...

Complete with chicken fights and everything! My neck still hasn't recovered from that! We did pretty good though...me and Jackson and Libbey!

And, the kids loved all the animals Blake had! A bunny rabbit even named HoneyBunny! Can you believe Preston touched it?! He said "I wuv it!"

This picture captures it all..good family time bonding.

Bree and Preston enjoy the fireworks display...

And here's a shot of my two and Malia and Steven's two taking it all in... (bet their necks hurt the next day, too, huh?)

Happy Birthday, America! I know it is so easy for even me to forget what we are truly celebrating this day. I saw a sign on a church that really hit home for me. Something about "Come home, America. Your Father awaits to free you yet once again." How true. If only our nation could devote itself completely to God. Then, it would truly be a day of celebration.