Fourth of July

 

 The thing I really miss about chruch is getting dressed up every week. I mean the spirit and worshiping our savior are also awesome, but man I miss my dresses and heels! So for the Fourth I went all out. I really feel this picture descirbes Jakob and I well. Jakob in cargo pants and a tacky but USA shirt (that yes, I admittedly bought him.) And I am full hair, makeup and dress with heels. It makes me chuckle. 

 

 This picture of Duke cracks me up.

 

 

It's Redd's first Fourth and man, he was just perfect! He's wearing the same shirt that both Duke and Sprout wore. So dang cute!! 

 

 

 I LOVE THIS DRESSSSSSS!  It makes me swoon every time. I'll just be a Canadian over here undercover as an American. 

I even went full out with my nails! Any reason to celebrate!

We headed over to Papa and Grams to eat swim and visit and it was perfect! I mean LOOK AT THAT FOOD!!!!! It was amazing!!!

I even wore my patriotic swim suit.

Papa and Gram said they got their shirts at Price Chopper and I had to laugh. they make me smile! 

Time to SWIM!!!

And Fly!

 Gram and I wanted to make another cake together and I wanted to try my hand at stripes. GUYS, stripes are HARD!! This cake was an absolute learning curve for both of us. Gram tried ganache, I tried piping and stripes. Not the prettiest but she was yummy!

 she was pretty on the inside too.

 At this point the little kids were tired so Jakob took them home and the big kids and I stayed and lit sparklers and set of poppers. 

 

It was such a perfect day and my heart is so full. I am so thankful for this land that we call home and for those who fight to keep it safe! Happy Fourth! 

Lake of the Ozarks - Day 2

July fourth and I can't think of a better way to spend it than on the lake. Oh man, I am in my happy place. I love being outdoors and while yes, we aren't roughing it, I still can't think of a happier place. 

The sun was warm, the water was even better and we headed out on a boat to have some FUN!

E was actually really brave. I was so proud of her!

With all of our beef on the boat, yes I mean all of us, we only just about sunk it once. It was funny.

We also only had one minor accident with Lucia falling in the fire while playing tug of war. She wasn't hurt badly at all a huge blessing! 

Then it was time for fire starting contests. First one to burn their string. 

Confetti cannons. 

And ending the night with sparklers!

The Fourth

I {love} holidays! All holidays in all forms and the Fourth is one of my favorites. I love to see the American pride and all of the red white and blue! Not that I don't love Canada, (because I obviously do) but stars and stripes and red, white and blue are where it's AT!

We came to realize that Jakob doesn't have one single patriotic shirt. So he went with red, Chiefs. That's American right? hehe.

Yes, he's sporting the same outfit as he was last year only this time it actually fits. 

A city very close to us has a big festival every Fourth and we were excited to go! Duke was really into this motorcycle!

The kids loved the crafts!

Mr. Bones is always a favorite and he tried to eat Bears head!!

I think the funniest part was letting the kids race in these balls. We waited quite awhile and it was pretty evident when they first started that they were going to need some help. Pushing these things wasn't easy. Eventually E got the basic idea and could (sort of) push herself. As I pushed Duke he looked like a pile of laundry in the dryer. He was just rolling all over the place and eventually popped out of the hole bum first before he got shoved back in. I was laughing so hard I could hardly push him. 

Our patriotic cake.

So I ordered some sparklers online, and I paid way too much but that was neither here or there. Thinking they were cake sparklers I put one on our cake and I lit it. It was not a cake sparkler and the whole house was filled with smoke. LOTS of smoke...

And our cake was covered in soot of sorts. 

Whoops. I scraped it off and it still tasted good. 

Once it was dusk-ish, we went over to the neighbors to pop some poppers and play with sparklers. We almost caught Rosie's hair on fire and Jakob burned himself pretty badly, but other than that it was a success. 

E was really good at making shapes.

It was a beautiful Fourth full of family fun which is the best kind. I love when Jakob gets to be home and we get to do family activities together. I am so grateful for this country that I call home and for how living here has blessed my life. I was discussing my choice when Jakob and I were newly engaged and we were deciding where to live. I remember thinking Canada is my home and while I would have enjoyed living there moving to the states was hands down the best decision we could have made. Jakob has thrived here and I have grown so much as well. I am thankful for this land and for the freedoms we enjoy. I am thankful for those who serve and defend our country so that we may enjoy that freedom. It comes at a price and this we understand more now than ever. God bless the USA.