HaPPy 4TH oF JuLy!!!

So I have to start by saying, AZ is a little disappointing when it comes to delivering on my favorite holiday, I'm not going to lie! They don't allow personal fireworks, and that even includes sparklers. There aren't any major parades, which is totally weird! And the actual fireworks show that our little town put on, were projected on a big screen! Needless to say, I was a little bummed going into the holiday, but to my surprise it ended up being a lot more fun than I thought it would! On the 3rd we had a ward BBQ, we didn't quite make it there on time. I had been having a particularly difficult day and as we were getting ready to leave, Patrick got home from work. So, we took the boys to McDonald's and then hit the block party at our neighbors' home to watch the Casino fireworks (which were actual fireworks, and not too bad!)! The boys looked so cute, they loved the fireworks and playing with the other kids and their glow-sticks!

This is them being fireworks!
Poor Harrison, this was at 10:00 am on the 4th! Partying is hard on this kid!! (And yes, that is my grown-up bed!)
Saturday Patrick had to work again, but just a day shift, which is a nice change from what he's used to on the 4th! We planned to just stay home, since he wouldn't be off in time to go anywhere. But we ended up hanging out, watching movies, and playing games into the wee hours of the morning with some neighbors who were also home without plans for the night! lol! (Thankfully, we aren't the only ones who have a crazy schedule and never go anywhere!) We did have a really good time, and we got to know our neighbors better too, which was nice!!

Their patriotic shirts from Grandma! (Thanks for the glow sticks too! :))

Jackson's lion. (I haven't painted a face in a LONG time, but luckily he didn't really care how it looked!) He really wanted to go to the carnival they had here in our community, but it was bloody hot and crowded! And all he really wanted was his face painted! So I figured we could wing it! Harrison had a frog, but I somehow missed getting a picture of it! haha!

I'm glad we got to have some fun, and most importantly, together! This holiday means so much to me! I have a very deeply rooted love for this country and what it means to be an American and a Patriot. I am so grateful for this country and the freedoms we have here! And I am so incredibly grateful for the thousands and thousands of lives that have been spent and given to make and keep it free! My thanks goes out to everyone who serves or has served, in any capacity, to make this country better and safer! (That includes the families that serve right along with them!) It's a chosen place, I have no doubt. God bless the USA!