independence weekend!

We had such a fun weekend. On saturday, Ben took Kara and Kiersten to see Cars 2, while I ran some errands with Evie. They really liked it. We stopped and bought some fireworks on the way home, and the girls were so impatient to use them. Ben and I were doing some packing/cleaning in the garage, and some neighbors were doing their fireworks. Evie smiled the first few times, but when Ben decided to set off a particularly loud one, she started screaming. my older girls were never afraid of fireworks, even as very small babies, so I was a little surprised to see Evie so terrified. But as long as I held her, she didn't really cry again. (but she did cling to me).

of course, they had tons of fun doing sparklers.

We decided to set off a few ground fireworks, but save all the big ones for later, after dark.

They were so cute oohing and aahing over all the ones that went up high. It's a little distracting with practically all of our neighbors setting off such huge fireworks displays all at once. Kiersten kept saying she didn't know which ones to look up at.

On sunday, we had tickets to the Tacoma Rainiers game. It was a perfect day. It was nice and warm, so nobody was complaining about being cold, and nobody got sunburned either.

Evie had a good time making friends with all the people sitting around us. She fell asleep for the second half of the game, but woke up just in time for the big fireworks show they put on. She actually watched them and only whimpered a little. Kara and Kiersten were adorable singing along loudly with Katy Perry's firworks song.

It turned out to be a great game, and our team won.

Ben and Evie were both starting to get sick on the 4th. So we just went out to lunch at a bbq place we've been wanting to try. then we did a little shopping at the mall, and went home. We played a game together for much of the afternoon, and just as it was getting dark, the neighborhood fireworks shows started up again. It really is insane listening to constant fireworks for hours on end. The girls and I went out and watched them for a while, and then went in to bed. but the girls kept being woken up by huge booms outside. I finally got them to stay asleep around midnight, but the fireworks kept waking me up til after 3! some of them were shaking our entire house. I was worried about something landing on the roof and starting a fire, but nothing like that happened. (thought I'm sure we have plenty of firework remnants on our roof right now).

Independence day

We've done fireworks in the front yard with the girls a few times this weekend. I only took pictures on saturday night though. They loved this army guy that parachuted down from the sky.

Of course sparklers were a big hit, as always.

yesterday, we picked up Grandma Boot from the airport, and then after lunch, we took the girls to a parade in Burien. As soon as we got there, an old man came over and gave the girls free hats. He said they were to protect from the sun, but it was cloudy and cool the whole time. Perfect parade weather.

Kiersten was so excited to wear a pretty dress with pockets, but she got sick right after we left the airport, so we had to buy her a new shirt from target. She still looked cute though.

It was nice to be right at the very beginning of the parade. The girls got free flags to wave, and tons of candy. So the girls loved it of course. Kara liked seeing the dance groups and cheerleaders.

We came home for dinner, and watched Red Cliff. (which is 5 1/2 hours long). So by the time it was over, it was dark enough for fireworks. It's nice to be able to sit in our yard and just watch all the neighborhood fireworks. Some of our neighbors must shell out hundreds for the firework shows they put on. The girls both really liked it. My mom said it is like living inside the stadium of fire. Kiersten had no problem falling asleep, but all the loud fireworks kept Kara up a little later than I'd have liked. It was a fun independence day. I was glad that the baby didn't come. Ben has been saying for weeks that he thought she would come on the 4th, but I didn't want her to, so looks like I got my way for once. :) I have my next dr. appt on friday, so I'll probably be updating again soon. I've really been wanting the baby to stay in, but now that my mom's here, I'm okay with her being born any time. I hope she comes before or while Lana is here next week, so she'll be able to see the baby when she's here. I'm sure she'll be glad to see the rest of us, but it would be a little sad for her to be here for a week, and have to leave without meeting the new little one.

finally the 4th of July pics!

Kiersten with her first sparkler. She had fun til she got it too close to her face, and she decided she perferred to watch Kara.
Kara sparklering.
4th of July Parade- From the left in red- Nancy, Aerik's neighbor girl, Kiera, Kara, Me, Kiersten, Katie, Brooke's Niece, Brooke, Chase. Aerik and Ben were in the back, his seat is empty because he's taking the pic.

I love sleeping baby pictures!!!

Kara catching flies...

At the fireworks Ben went and bought the girls both a light up toy. Kara got the butterfly wand and Kiersten the binky.