Highlands: the 4th of July

ok. so only 2 more highlands posts to go!

we chose the 4th of july weekend for several reasons, one of which was the small town 4th of july celebrations!

we started the morning with a trip to the creek (again) with just Addie, Paul and me. she had so much fun (again) jumping around and playing with just us; and i got to grab a few of these flower shots! we {forgot} to bring her a change of clothes, so we just stripped her down and put her in her carseat wrapped in a towel!

after showers and little girl morning naps, we headed to see the birds of prey from the Balsam Mountain Trust Nature Center. Addie was mesmerized, but the little girls not so much. so paul strolled them around until we all piled in the car and drove {more than} a few blocks to the 4th of July picnic. there was a fire truck with the ladder fully extended that spewed water from the fire hose all over the field for the kids to run and play in at the end of the picnic after the medical helicopter took off and did a fly over!

but before all of that, addie jumped inside the firetruck and didn't want anyone else to get in!

so we pulled her out and grabbed some lunch with Nana, Rie Rie, Gramma, Daddy, and the baby sisters.

picture attempt of all 3 girls #1:

picture attempt of all 3 girls #2:

perfect picture: fail.

perfect memory: success!

there were so many things to watch!

 

i love how very different yet so similar these little girls are.

then it started to rain right before the helicopter took off, so paul loaded up the babies while Addie and I stood and watched it take off and do a fly over. wow! (sorry, no pictures. the camera was staying dry in the car too!).

then we headed home for naps.

after naps, gramma and papa al came over with the yummiest home smoked pulled pork bbq ever, and we had delicious cold salads and grilled corn on the cob and divine peach/blueberry cobbler and ice cream made by my aunt/nana. then a few of us and Addie went to hear the patriotic program (complete with a bagpipe) at the local church but headed home early to wait for the fireworks.

we put the (completely exhausted) little girls to bed and watched the fireworks with an excited Addie, who's emotions ranged from utter amazement to complete bury-your-head-cover-your-ears fear! it was sprinkling again, so i didn't take a single fireworks picture either {sad!}.

barring the limited number of pictures i took, it was a wonderful day of celebrating our country and the men and women fighting for our freedom, all while being surrounded by wonderful family!

Fireworks (better late than never!)

We had the joy of seeing fireworks in a community that surrounds a lake. It's beautiful, to say the least; and we got there just in time to see them start! Perfect timing--no wait--when you're toting around a 2 year old and twin babies!

Addie talked about seeing the fireworks the whole ride out there. They were going to be BIG and red and purple and blue and... Paul got her out and put her on his shoulders. Within two explosions, she was begging to get back in her car seat in the car! So we rolled down the windows and let her sit in the car. Paul stood at her window, and I think she held his hand the entire time as she huddled in her seat!

Here are a few of my favorites, but you can go here to see the rest of them! Hope you had a blessed fourth (two weeks ago)!

(one of my favorites!)

a Fabulous Fourth

We started our 4th of July at Lake Jordan with the Becks. We all drove up for lunch and had a VERY relaxing afternoon on the lake. John-the-Beck had a new boat, and we were honored to be a part of the "maiden voyage." Addie loves being out on the water, although she doesnt particularly love the life jacket her mother insists she wear! But...she was very happy (as you can see below) laying in my lap.

Paul and Addie
we finally got her to keep those sunglasses on!

look at that head control! & chilling with Marsa, Kat, and John

Kat, John, & Paul taking a snooze

Addie taking a snooze!

Addie on the boat just "talking" away!

John holding Addie so I could climb out of the boat...he's such a natural!

and then we went on to the Castros in Wetumpka...
Tim's family was sweet enough to invite us to come swim (and eat of course) that afternoon before we all headed over to the Hunts (Diane's mom's house) for fireworks. Addie had a blast getting some undivided attention from Di (and Tim and Ann). She just talked and talked to Diane!

Tim & Addie & Di

oh...the many, many faces. i did fall in love with this picture! it's like she's saying...ok mom, enough with the camera, but I'll still pose for you!

Paul playing catch with Tim & Ann (Tim's mom) holding Addie

Piper, Tyler and Ellie's cousin

pretty flowers!

Ellie & Tyler

Tim launching Tyler across the pool! I love Ty's arm in the air...charge!

ok...so then it become somewhat of a competition of
1) who could make a bigger splash and
2) what cool moves i could manage to catch on camera!

Tim
um...can we say "flying squirrel?"

Tyler and Tim

Steve, Tim's brother

and then on to the Hunt's for fireworks...
Terri and Rob had everyone over for fireworks, a long time tradition! They had a lot of fun ones, and we got to see the neighbors around the lake as well.

Robin, Hayden's mommy, and Addie

Paul and Tim
Tim wanted to hold Addie "because Di had gotten her to sleep!" :)


Ellie, Di, Hayden, and Piper & Di, Addie, and Terri (Di's mom)

Addie loves fireworks...well, i shouldnt say loves. Basically, they dont phase her! (She had already "seen" some at the lake with the Wamsteds.) The only time she got upset was when I "screamed" (and ran) when one came towards us. After the fireworks started going in directions we didnt like (towards us), we decided to come inside and let the kids play.

Addie: "Oh the drama...that's a boy!!!"
Hayden: "What's the big deal here...i'm just chilling in my space!"

Hayden: "Mom...she's kinda a comfy pillow here! You sure it's ok if i keep leaning...and leaning?"

Addie: "Um, seriously mom. In a few years you're not going to want me anywhere near boys! He's in my space now!"

His and Hers

Hayden let Addie play with his jumping toy to see if she liked it. (she did :)

Hayden and Addie playing "together"
Hayden was so sweet to share!

look at them "holding hands"
...buddies!