freedom day

I love the 4th of July.
I think it might be my favorite holiday of them all.
I mean, what's not to love?
Family, friends, great food, fireworks...
a celebration of freedom...
It's awesome!

True to form, we had a busy, but super fun, 4th of July weekend. We started on Wednesday with the Freedom Celebration at church. There was a concert and fireworks. John Mark loved running around in the grass playing with Caroline, and declared the fireworks "awesome." Thursday after work we headed to Central High to catch the big party at mom & dad's house.

Friday evening lots of our friends and family got together at mom & dad's for lots of good food, homemade ice cream and games. Jonas & Eric walked down to see us for a while in the afternoon. The boys had lots of fun playing in John Mark's kiddie pool.

Owen and Amanda were in town, so John Mark got to have lots of fun playing with his new friend Austyn. They had lots of fun being pulled around in the wagon, sliding on the slide and eating. It's always so much fun to watch John Mark play with other kids. They are all getting so big. I just can't believe it!

The neighbors always put on a great fireworks show, so instead of venturing into town, we just sat at the top of the driveway and watched the fireworks from all around.

Saturday we ate leftovers and rested after the long night. I had a lot of fun walking around taking pictures of mom & dad's backyard. Here are some of my favorites.

moon over central high

the antique tricycle mom & dad redid for John Mark

nanny & grandma- these woman are my truest heroes

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green..." Jeremiah 17:7-8

"but we have this treasure in jars of clay..." 2 Corinthians 4:7