Happy 4th of July 2012!

Love the effects of the camera at night.

Fact: Holidays are so much more fun with kids. Honestly, before kids it just seemed like holidays kind of floated by in a daze with quasi-bland memories that didn't stick. And now? Now it's hard not to remember these days. I suppose that's why I remember my holidays as a kid growing up with all my brothers. It was always fun no matter what. I grew up and all of a sudden, fireworks were boring and the Christmas tree lights just didn't seem to get plugged in every day.

Today, as I lit fireworks and watched the big ones go off in the town display, I realized that everything is beautiful and fun when you get to live it through the eyes of your children. I can guarantee you that I won't forget watching the lights on Alex and Abby's faces when they held their sparklers for the first time ever. They were finally old enough this year and it was magical to them. Every time a firework was finished exploding, Alex ran over to the hose and yelled, "Fire!! I'll put it out!" then doused the glowing embers like a miniature firefighter (which was what I'm sure he felt like the entire time). We had a wonderful day today. It was probably the best 4th of July I've experienced since I was a kid myself.

Oh, and it turns out that during the craziness of the day, I discovered the key to getting my kids to fall asleep in less than two minutes. Simply let them eat mounds of cupcakes, marshmallows and whatever else they can find with sugar in it. Then let them down multiple bottles of high fructose laden beverages. In between all of this (and lots of hot dogs), swim all day long. Finish the day by staying up way, way too late watching and shooting fireworks, then watch them as they yawn twice and all but pass out within moments. It. Was. Awesome. And it also works on husbands apparently. Because Josh fell asleep in approximately 14 seconds just a few shy minutes later than the kids. What does the pregnant lady do? I stay up and blog about it.   

At the firework show. Alex was in quite good spirits and loving the day.

Josh lighting some big booms in tiny packages. Turns out you can't stand close or you get showered with bits of exploding material. Lesson learned.

My patriotic kiddos.

Look how big my kids are getting!

Firefighter Alex - on the job!

Abby's first sparkler at 4 years old.

Alex's first sparkler at 5 years old. He loved this!

Shooting fireworks at Grandma and Grandpa's house is awesome. My dad was on his way back from Missouri so he wasn't there this year.

So I hope that you're Independence Day was as fulfilling and joyous as our was. I truly am one thankful gal today. God bless America and God bless our freedom to enjoy days just like this with our families.