Thank you, Karen for watching the kiddies so Justin and I could sneak away for a fancy stay-cation to celebrate #5. We stayed at a beautiful (seriously) Hampton inn and went to a delicious dinner at the Palm. We got to hang out at the pool without chasing kids around (which usually we love but was nice for a little bit), took a nap, and slept in. And the best part? Only had to drive 15 minutes home in the morning to go get our hugs from Logan and Colton.



4th event #1:
A couple hours before our date night, we participated in the neighborhood bike parade.






And then hosted the impromptu after party

4th event #2:
Our friends invited us to a Independence Day party and fireworks on the 3rd of July at their country club. Unfortunately the party was moved inside and fireworks cancelled due to rain. But we still had a blast at the indoor party (hamburgers and hot dogs, live band for dancing, little bounce house for kids, and cookies. Lots of cookies). Then the kids got their first experience with sparklers. I was sure Logan would be scared of them. Nope. She loved it.




4th event #3:
Pool party on the 4th from 10:30-1:30. It was a couple families that all of little kids at our good friends Lance and Quinn’s house. It was perfect–we planned it so we could come after the babies take their morning nap and finish lunch and swimming before all the kids took their afternoon nap. No pictures from that event. BUT Logan made big strides in her confidence in the water. She finally started jumping in a little bit (with floaties on and straight into Justin’s arms) and swimming unassisted (floaties still assisted but at least she let go of Justin).
4th event #4:
4th of July party at our friends Ashley and Brandon. There were tons of families with babies and toddlers there. Grilled out, slip and slide on a tarp, popcicles, cupcakes, sparklers and fireworks. It was calling for rain the entire afternoon and it didn’t start until a few minutes after the fireworks ended. Logan loved them.








(There were 3 sleeping babies-including Colton-during this picture. Colton slept through most of the party and fireworks. Maybe next year!)
4th event #5:
Trip to our neighbors parents lake house on Lake Norman (about a hour from home) on Friday. Amazing day of swimming in the lake, hanging out with friends, and even a parents only boat ride when Maggie and I went tubing (the grandparents stayed at the house during nap time to give us time to go out and enjoy the lake).


Video of the girls’ final dip in the lake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbxforKmxco
(Layla is 1 week older than Logan and Ella is 4. They live 4 houses down from us)
4th Event #6:
We went to the bounce houses and arcade in the morning then a cookout at our good friends Ryan and Kelly’s house on Saturday (they just moved into a new house and don’t have kids yet). Logan and Colton love Ryan and Kelly. We grilled out, ate Krispy kremes, played with their dog and then slept over.
It’s safe to say 4th of July is quickly approaching Christmas and Halloween as a kiddie favorite, excitement inducing, holiday. It’s going to be a hard reality for Logan that we don’t have any parties to go to tomorrow.
But we head to Florida this weekend to visit the other Logan and Tyler (Logan’s best friends that live down the street that live at their Florida house when their dad isn’t in season as a football coach). They are in Florida from end of May-August and that was just too long for us so we are heading south for a long weekend. Pray for us for a smooth 9+ hour drive with an 8 month old and 2.5 year old!
Happy Independence!