More Boom Please

This year was the first 4th of July that Ben will probably remember and what he will remember is his Daddy made things "boom" for him.  We had our usual gathering of friends over at our house to celebrate and blow up the neighborhood.  The weather cooperated and the kids were able to run wild in the backyard while the adults had a chance to kick back and relax a little.

We even broke out the kiddie pool for the first time this year!  Here is McKenzie, Ben and Atticus playing in the pool.

Patriotic Atti waving his flags!  I have a whole list of things to do differently next year and one of them is to buy the kiddie favor type stuff when I first see it out after Easter instead of waiting until July to try to find Red, White & Blue stuff for the kids.  I need to have a secret storage place where I can hide all my seasonal things from the kids.  

Ben and his flag, he spent most of the afternoon sitting on this little picnic table that he shoved off of the patio so he could sit next to Matt who was lighting off fireworks. After each one he said, "more boom please" and how can you say no to this face and those manners?

While Ben did experience more of the 4th of July than usual, he did not get to stay up for the big fireworks.  Next year might be his big year to stay out after dark and really experience a show.  He was so happy just watching sparklers and roman candles during the day that we called it good and send him off to dreamland.

Once the sun went down the temperature cooled down significantly and the girls felt the need to bundle up for the big show.  Cousin Claire and McKenzie ready to watch the show.

The girls wanted to get into the action this year and asked see some of the fireworks being lit.  The best part was watching them race back to the driveway when Matt told them to run as he lit the fireworks.  They were fast!

Another goal on my list of things for next year is to learn how to take the perfect sparkler picture.  I know it can be done and I will capture it next year!

The house all decked out for the holiday!  Love seeing the front yard project from last year continue to evolve and grow with the seasons.