It's Independence Day

We have a pretty solid tradition of meeting up with our neighbors for our city's festivities on the evening of the 4th of July.  There's an awesome parade, a concert, and a big fireworks display.

This leaves our morning/afternoon open, however.  So we loaded up the kids and met West's cousin, Robert, at Rockport for some boating.

The weather was nice except the wind picked up and didn't settle down.  That made for some choppy water, however that didn't stop some brave souls from showing off their developing skills.

It's always nice to soak up some sun and cheer each other on.














Cas brought her boyfriend, Brycen, and helped herself to some selfie time...

Love that girl.  I want big things for her.

For all of them.

We got home in time to clean up and meet our neighbor friends for the parade.  You have to get there right when the helicopter leaves so you can grab your preferred spot.

Which means curb sitting for two hours.

So we played cards, spike ball, and wandered the booths and food trucks until the parade started.

After the parade we all head to Chic-fil-a for dinner.

Then we create all sorts of antics while the concert plays cover songs and we wait for the sun to set and the fireworks to begin.

I love summer. 

I love my family.

I love being part of such a fun community.

I love being an American.

Traditions are good.

Summer is the Front Yard

Summer time and the living is easy.

Brynn, Milo the Corgi, Tayler, Simone, Evynn

For whatever the reason, our summers are lived out in our front yard, and not the backyard.  Though I'm working to change that, at least in just some small part, with some "face lift ideas" for the backyard.  It's a great yard.

But we do enjoy the front yard.  I think the draw is the neighbors walking by.  Or yelling "hey" at The Russians over the half fence.  Commenting on The Cooks' grass (I think we finally have them beat this year!), or the Russell's flowers.  And all the small children getting a thrill with Milo the Corgi.

Simone, Brynn, Tayler, Cali, Milo the Corgi, Evynn

I think it's all of these reasons that we live our summers out in the front of our house.

And last night was no different.