{Stars & Stripes}

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays - mostly because it doesn't seem crazy, just relaxing. I love sitting in a lawn chair, being with people I love and watching fireworks! I was worried about how I'd be able to handle the heat, but I drank LOTS and LOTS of water all day long and Benny forced me to sit down and relax with my feet up in between activities. It really wasn't too bad!

4th of July 3 years ago ..

And here we are spending our last 4th of July as a family of two!

 

Friday night we wanted to go to the fireworks but had no lawn chairs and were being super lazy - so we went and parked somewhere and waited and waited and waited. I kept telling Benny I was going to die it was so hot in his car so he'd turn the air on for a few minutes and then turn it off and I instantly thought I was going to die again. Finally they started, and of course, a big tree was blocking our view! We did end up driving around and finding a spot and caught the end of them .. Poppy went CRAZY during them. My tummy is so stretched out now and Poppy is so big that we can feel definitive body parts so that was quite entertaining! We got up in the morning and drove to Estherville for the flight breakfast and aerobatic demonstration. We waited in line forever for the breakfast and were almost up to the front when we realized we'd miss the show if we went in, so we got out of line and walked around and checked out the airplanes. The show was neat (nothing like the Sioux Falls airshow), but it was still cool to see. We got back to town and enjoyed some Subway and picked up some new lawn chairs at Wally World. We spent the afternoon just relaxing (and I cleaned light switches around the house..ha) and hanging out. Benny even got in a few games of ping pong in with Ryan. 

Then it was off to mini-golfing...which is one of the few activities I can still do - it's just a little ackward and I can't bend down to get my ball out of the hole!

                                          

*You almost can't see Ashlee behind that tummy*

And, of course, we have to take this picture every summer.. Nice hand, Benny.

 

 Benny just being Benny -- "Ok, guys, here are the current standings."

We kinda sorta like each other... sometimes...

 

Shawna and Ashlee hula hooping - I was going to give it a try because I thought I might be pretty good if I balanced it on top of my tummy, but I decided I'd just end up in pain.

 

We all enjoyed some pizza at Godfather's where apparently soft serve ice cream is NOT free - just for the record - and then it was off to Arnold's Park for the concert and fireworks. I skipped the go-karts...

Great friends .. even if Ben did almost put me into labor with his crazy driving.. I think I'll go for a ride with him in about 2 weeks when baby hasn't come yet!

Little Sis .. aren't we cute?! She's adorable!

The Love Birds

I LOVE being at Arnold's Park for the 4th .. quite the atmosphere!

Top it all off with a gorgeous sunset (this picture doesn't do it justice)

By the end of the night, I really wished I had a couch to sit on or at least a pillow, but I was thankful for Landon's little footstool. 

 All the boats out on the lake.

And since we're old, and pregnant, and have jobs .. we went straight home (okay, we got a little lost on the way) and went to bed! The fireworks didn't scare Poppy out, but hopefully they at least gave him/her a little encouragement...

The End.