"Yea America!!!"

When Parker was little, this thing was started where whenever he saw an American flag he would proclaim, "Yea America!!" Well, a few weeks ago, we were out driving and saw a flag to which we all said happily, "Yea America!" The cutest thing happened next when Cooper excitedly yelled, "KiKah!" (pronounced "Keekah" for America). That phrase has been an on-going theme in our family conversations during drive time lately.

Between the "Kikah" exclamations hollered out every other block while driving around town, the Independence Day celebration events scheduled to take place in our new community and the adorable patriotic pinwheels I picked up for the kids, I was giddy over celebrating the 4th of July. We had heard amazing things about the 3 day events in this town and new it would be worth checking out with friends! The nice thing about the events were that they were all within walking distance from our home! Yes! Love it! Monday, early evening, I strolled the kids over to the Family Night Carnival where they had discounted rides available. Though we just rode on a few amusement  rides, the kids LOVED it! Cooper rode on the carousel and the cars with Parker. Parker also rode a few others that were a little more big-boyish for Cooper. Afterwards, I treated the boys to Smoothies. It was a great way to almost end the day. :)

Wednesday, Clay and the kids and I headed out for the parade. Oh boy. Heat wave. And I do not mean Minnesota hot; I mean Mississippi humidity hot. I could not believe it when I walked outside. Where am I? Seriously, I didn't think Minnesota could reach these temps! Of course, I have some memory (that being and understatement of course!) of the first 22 years of my life and the high temps that my body was used to enduring during July, but my boys were born in the North. You could tell they are totally not used to this! ha ha! As much fun as it was, it totally wiped them out in minutes!

We settled into our little spot on the corner of the street and pulled out the cool water bottles, the Mickey Mouse fan, and our spray bottles for misting. Shades, sunscreen and hats were not enough for this kind of heat.

Yes, we stayed hydrated. Forget the candy and just throw me the popsicles (which a number of parade floats did...thank you for that!!!)

We met some friends and their kids out at the parade and then afterwards headed back to our place for grilling out hot dogs and hamburgers. Following supper, we ran outside to have fun with a few sparklers! The temps had dropped slightly so the kids were much more ready to play and get moving then they had been earlier in the day.

Katie and Ryan, plus their kiddos, Blake and Brynn, came to play with us today. We had such a fun time with the Munsons. Look at how adorable Blake is:

...and Miss Brynn with her sweet mama..

We did attempt multiple family shots, but with it being later in the evening, all the kids were past done. It was hilarious to look back at the outtakes from that night...Katie had such a great attitude about it though. She, at the end, just threw her hands out in the air, made a silly exasperated face and posed for the camera as if to say, " Well, this is us. Take it or leave it!" Have I mentioned how much I love this sweet family?!

What a great way to spend the 4th!

I am so very thankful for the men who fight for our freedom each and every day.

Praying for those who do not have freedom like we do and thanking God for the days like today with my family where we can wholeheartedly with a huge smile proclaim, "Yea America!" and truly mean it.

What an amazing country we live in.

What great opportunities lie within each and every day for us.

"Yea America!!!"