7.4.2012 Independence Day Parade

Time for our 2nd annual 4th of July Parade party!  We had a bunch of people over (I think it ended up being around 40 people over-FUN!) to help celebrate Independence Day with us.  The parade in town goes right in front of our house, so we had people come an hour before the parade and we had a big potluck pancake breakfast.  It was very, very fun :)  I enjoyed hanging out in the kitchen making pancakes and talking to our friends that I never seem to get to talk to anymore.  I WAS, however, making pancakes, so I didn't take any pictures of the eating...but everyone was well fed :) 

 While we waited for the parade to start the bigger kids played basketball on the back porch. 

 Jacob was very unimpressed with the festivities ;)  He took a little nap before the parade started.

Eli & Leah ready for some fun! 

 Happy family of 4 almost 5 :)

 Olivia didn't want her picture taken...so she quickly did...

 ...this.  cracked me right up.

 Cutie #1

 Cutie #2. 

 Waiting...

 Here it comes!

 Leah, trying to direct the parade...

 She had SO much fun dancing around and playing. (And yes, I made that dress just for the day :)  LOVE the knot dress pattern!  Super easy and quick to make!)

 Eli also had a blast, though he didn't leave his seat.  He just sat there saying 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' and 'HELLO FIRETRUCK!' He's so funny :)

 This guy walked along an cracked that huge whip.  Very cool.

 There were several bands that walked by, but this was the only one that happened to play in front of us.  Very fun.  Made me want to join a marching band again ;)

The parade lasted over an hour, and we got TONS (too much...) of candy an beads. 

 After it was over we came back inside and the family hung out for the rest of the day together.  Abuela was quick the entertain the kiddos.

 Leah and Jacob-watch out Leah, Jacob is going to be your size soon!  Cutie pies :)

 Some pictures with Abuelito-so glad he came over to spend some time with us!

 

 

We had such a nice day.  We thought about going to see fireworks, but they didn't start until really late, so we decided sleep was more important :) 

Until next year!!!

7.3.2012 Cousin fun

It's always fun when the cousins come over to play!

 Every time Leah sees Isaac, she said 'Want to hold it!'  Perhaps we need to work on our pronouns :)  Seeing as he's almost as big as she is, she needs some help holding 'it' :)

 Eli wasn't so sure about getting in the 'holding cousin' fun, but he was nearby...

 ...and offered a sweet kiss :)

Katie is such a good big sister.  She really helped me while I watched them :)

7.1.2012 Let's Go Tigers!...and Rays!

We decided it was finally time for us to go to a baseball game as a family.  It was Leah's first game, and she had a blast.  We always have to go when the Tiger's come to town :) 

We went on a Sunday after church, so we brought lunch with us.  The kids enjoyed their PB&J :) 

 Cabrera's single

 The view from our seat.

 Our seats were actually perfect.  We asked for seats nice and high up so we wouldn't be with a crowd of people.  We ended up in a row all our own, and the only thing behind us was the tarps covering the 'not for sale' seats...so we had lots of room to spread out, and the kids could move around without annoying anyone.  The above picture is Eli being fascinated with the lights :)

 Leah and daddy playing together.

 We brought a big bag of popcorn that we had popped at home.  I'm pretty sure Eli ate 3/4 of it.  That kid LOVES popcorn.  He stayed in his seat for most of the game.  When Edgar got up to take the kids for a walk, he didn't want to leave, so him and I stayed and focused on the game. 

 Fielder making it to first.

 Our favorite Ray...Carlos Pena (though part of the reason he's one of my favorites, is that he was once a Tiger :) )

 We did get a James Shields bobblehead...actually we got two.  One of them got broken shortly after being taken out of the box...the other is for Ben.

 Eli is a confused fan...Tiger's shirt, Ray's hat :)  He enjoyed having a little reading break-'Curious George Learns the Alphabet' is a favorite with him...

 TIGER'S WIN!  This little dance/handshake Valverde and Cabrera always do was fun to watch in person.

 Since it was Sunday, the kids got to run the bases.  We had to wait close to an hour to get our turn, but the kids were troopers, and made it without too many complaints :)

 Touching home base :)

 Me and my baseball fans :)

 'Seriously, mom...enough pictures!'

 We got to meet Raymond too.  This is Eli giving him a hug...

 ...and Raymond eating Eli.

Leah was not so impressed with Raymond.  I agree, Leah.  He's kinda creepy looking.

We had a great time at the game-we will definitely go again.  The kids were super good-and that was with no nap :)

A fun family day!