Let me start by saying I love the 4th of July. Love love love it. I'm a die-hard summer fan and the fourth pretty much encompasses all things summer. We didn't have big plans this year (four sets of our neighbor friends were out of town), but we did have plans to attend our town parade, spend some time at the pool, and go to a neighbor's barbeque for dinner. Except that we woke to rain. And thunderstorms. It wasn't forecasted to quit until that afternoon...if that. The parade was cancelled. Our pool plans were obviously a bust. I felt like we were cooped up on a winter weekend. It pretty much just ruined the holiday vibe. I did force my family outside during a 10-minute break in the rain for a family photo. After all, we were all matchy-matchy in our red, white, and blue - not to mention, I specifically buy 4th of July outfits for the boys - so I definitely wasn't going to let that holiday photo opp pass us by. However, by dinner time, I was over it. We decided to just stay put indoors and maybe maybe venture out for fireworks. But at that point, putting the kids to bed early sounds just as nice!
That evening (it had finally stopped raining 🙌🙌), we noticed a few neighbors were outside. So we joined them. And what started as a bummer of a holiday, ended with the most impromptu, but best and most low-key gathering. Just a few families, eight kids (plus two babies), Papa Johns pizza, and some illegal fireworks. What more could you want?!
For the first year ever, Brantley wasn't afraid of the fireworks. A little timid at first, but once he saw his neighbor buddies participating, he was all in. Holden, on the other hand, was terrified for most of the day all weekend. He finally decided around 7pm on the 4th they weren't so bad, though he would not remove those darn noise-blocking headphones.
Turns out, a day of rain makes for some pretty photos. The sky was dreamy that night. The perfect shade of gold and I couldn't get enough.
The photos stopped once the sun went down, but the fun continued until fireworks time. We drove a few blocks away to the outskirts of our neighborhood to catch the city fireworks show, which was just the icing on the cake to a few hours of 4th of July fun!
The rain was a bummer but great job making a fun time in the evening! We made it to see the fireworks too actually!
ReplyDeleteI love the 4th of July as well. All of the red, white and blue and patriotism makes my heart so happy! Bummer for the rain, but I am so glad that it ended well. Papa Johns has the best pizza! Adorable pictures, friend.
ReplyDeleteI love these pics and these boys of yours!
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a fun day! I love that you hang out with your neighbors!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! Glad to have found your blog...beautiful family!!
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