July 4 2019

Well, our 4th of July did not go as planned…

Thursday I woke up excited and got everything ready for the boys and I to enjoy a parade in a nearby town.

It was supposed to be fantastic.

When we pulled up I started talking to the family next to us and they shared 

that they heard a rumor that the parade was cancelled due to lightning.

We waited around a few minutes and the rumor was true.

Cancelled.

I had two crying boys on my hands.

So I pulled out my phone and googled other 4th of July activities in the area.

Thirty minutes later and we were playing corn-hole at a great festival!

We enjoyed the festival for a few hours….

This was so cool -

there was a man controlling this dinosaur and Zane loved it!

Jaxen did not want the dinosaur eating him - ha!

I wish you could hear the squeals of delight from Zane :)

 We also headed to a craft station (after a cute picture). 

 Jaxen made a patriotic headband.

 Then we headed to the bounce houses!

 The lines for everything were super long and so we had to pick and choose what to do.

We decided not to wait in line to see all the animals, but Zane got a glimpse of a few while walking

 Thankfully there was a 3 and under play area right next to the Hamster Ball area.

Zane played and Jaxen stood in line while I went back and forth between the two of them.

Although it was really hard, Jaxen loved this Hampster Ball!

The boys wanted their faces painted and so we stood in a very long line to do so!

But with a few snacks, drinks and a lawn to play on - they did well.

They both chose a Spiderman face!

Cute!

Next up - hair.

Jaxen wanted a colored mohawk - he picked silver.

On our way to the food trucks, Jaxen decided to try this out…

and he did pretty well! He got all the way to 90. 

Right about the time we were going to check out the food trucks for snack/lunch

it started sprinkling on us.

I looked up at the sky and I could see the thunderstorms coming -

so we ditched the food trucks and sprinted to the car!

We got pretty wet and Jaxen’s main concern was his hair and face - lol!

I had to take a picture in the car to show him all was still intact.

We made our way home through the thunderstorms and I cooked bacon and waffles for lunch.

We had a little relaxation time before gathering our things and heading out to the Chandlers.

We enjoyed our afternoon/evening in the country!

Yes, Jaxen is wearing a suit and tie. I'm not sure why...but he likes it, so I let him wear it!

Right when we got there Marcus helped Jaxen set off a few little fireworks. 

 And then Marcus played basketball with Zane...

 Jaxen enjoyed some time in their pool…. 

 While Zane enjoyed the dinosaurs and rocks.

Jim grilled brats, hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob (with lots of other side dishes)

and we enjoyed a great dinner with the Chandlers, some of their friends, 

and a few of Marcus' friends.

While we ate dinner (outside), we watched a storm roll in. 

Before the thunderstorms got too bad, Marcus and his friends (plus Jaxen) set off a few fireworks

while Jim made homemade ice cream.

I love this guy!

We enjoyed the rain from under the porch for awhile, while everyone else was inside.

We ended the night playing Tenzi!

Before we left, Marcus went out in the rain and set off some of the larger

fireworks - and my kiddos were so happy!

We were bummed the rain cancelled the larger fireworks that we would have seen,

so that was sweet of Marcus to give us a little show :)