The Land of the Free

This 4th of July we celebrated by our tradition of enjoying family time and yummy food at Maw Maw Brown and Pop's house. This tradition goes back as far as I can remember..I think the first 4th there I remember was 1993. Isn't that the summer it rained a ton?? I digress. Anyway, it is always fun. While there are some extra little people in the mix now...a bunch extra...it still feels like home. I LOVE traditions.

Bree enjoyed the slip-n-slide and cupcakes...

Looks like John Michael did, too!
That night we went to Aunt Malia and Uncle Steve's for a new tradition..circa 2009. This tradition is what I will refer to as "run from the cops and hope you don't spend the night in jail." :) We have been journeying (well, Steven has been anyway) to Alabama to get illegal fireworks the past two years. And, I mean FIREworks. These things are huge..and professional...and dangerous...and and the list goes on and on. If any of you know anything about me, you know this: I am a rule follower and a goodie-goodie two shoes. So, while I hold my breath and pray for about an hour, we enjoy our own personal fireworks extravaganza. :) And, the kids enjoy sparklers afterwards. Now those don't seem too bad. :)

Don't you think one day these pictures will be such a memory for them? Cousins are awesome.

And, well this pic might just serve as blackmail one day. :)

Ever try a slip-n-slide as an adult? Makes you completely wonder how on earth we did it as kids.

The gracious hosts...

The brunswick stew man...

Buddies...

Princesses...

I cannot believe it is nearly November...and I am now just completing the blog for the 4th of July..but hey, it's all good. :) I am now yearning for some summer again though. Thank goodness we are headed to the beach for Thanksgiving!