**** Happy Birthday USA ****

To celebrate the 4h this year we went to Grace's fireworks display with Grammie, Grampa and Shea. It was short but sweet. Mostly it was a good way to break Claire into fireworks this year, she wasn't too fond of them that night but on the actual 4th we enjoyed a cookout and pool party with some friends at their house. We had so much fun with the Wernli's and the Martin's. Mike grew up with a tradition called a "Pig Pick" which is where you smoke a pig and then eat it off the carcass, he was so excited about it and worked really hard to pump us all up about it too ;) We all swam, ate, and enjoyed each other's company until it got dark, then it was time for Mike and the guys to put on a show for us... it was great!! Their neighbors all shot of fireworks too, so combined with our guys show it was just as good as what we would have seen on Riverside. The Wernli's have promised to maintain this tradition for the coming years and I am already looking forward to next year! Thanks again you guys for having us and making our 4th so much fun!!!

~Birthday Parties~

Over the past year as my daughter has grown from a baby to a big girl she has begun to make friends... funny thing, I've gained quite a few friends out of this change as well. As you all know that means birthday parties to attend. I think I enjoy myself at the parties just as much as she does. Here are a few pics from a few of the parties we were so happy to attend.

We partied at Chick Fil A with Karis for her 3rd Birthday...               

We were pretty in Pink at the Princess Party for the Orth Twins as they turned 4...

We partied by the pool for Gracyn's 5th Birthday...and we Camped out for McKinlee's 6th Birthday.

It has been such a fun summer of celebrating our friends! Happy Birthday to all of these sweet girls! We love you!