Celebrating Our Freedom

I love getting together at Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jimmy's for the big July 4th party. Rain or shine, we tough it out (usually we sweat it out). This year was rainy and cooler. We all needed sweatshirts by evening and it rocked my heat-intolerant world.
I will always love gathering with my family and friends for this event. It reminds me to greatly appreciate the country we live in; and that we have friends and family nearby whom we can celebrate with in whatever manner we please. Let us all be thankful for those who have fought and died so we can live free.

Evan: not such a big fan of all the popping and cracking. And I don't mean of my joints. But he doesn't cry, he just buries his head in my shoulder.

What Evan does love are the men in my life - Uncle Jon and Grandpa Tracy take the cake.

It's not the 4th without watermelon dripping everywhere and Kramers spitting seeds at everyone.

As we shot off rockets the parachutes landed in the cornfield. Our cousin Darren and his wife Jenny were good enough to guide the kids. AND my cousin Jaylene was good enough to take all the pictures because I forgot my camera!


Sher and Zoe Scott - she is just the cutest thing ever.

Jon and his friend, Rob, seriously kept the children entertained by doing the above continually. The little boy is Peyton Freeman, Jaylene and Heath's son - adorable!

Taylor is a natural with children. She helped Evan with his sparkler (which he clearly enjoyed) and sat with her during some loud booms!

See??? Sweatshirts in July! Unheard of!

Us with Grandma Bettye. Ethan threw in a cross-eye at the last minute - this is his sense of humor.