4th of July Madness

My favorite Holiday is BY FAR the 4th of July.  The sweet smell of barbecues, the get-togethers with family, parades, games, painted faces, and the best part?  FIREWORKS!!

This year, we had no plans whatsoever, as well as NO MONEY!  But we somehow managed to see a parade, go see fireworks, go swimming, and grill up some yummy burgers!

Because we live in Utah, we make our own rules!!  Since the 4th was on a Sunday, we celebrated on the 3rd and 5th.   We didn't do anything on the 3rd, except watch a few fireworks ;)

We are so very lucky to live in crummy apartments that are right across the street from the high school where the fireworks are!  lol  :)   My mom was able to watch them from her recliner with the blinds open (because she's very into Holidays and celebrates in her own way).  Maddie and I however, went outside to enjoy them and I got the chance to take my first fireworks pictures!!  What do you think?

The next day was the 4th!  The actual holiday and we had nothing to do!!  I decided to not sit on my butt all day (which is rare) and I took Maddie to the park.  It was a beautiful day outside so we took her little bike and I pulled her along.  Half the time she wanted to do it by herself, or she just didn't want to ride it at all!

She eventually gave up with the bike so we headed to the playground

Don't you just love our matching flag tank tops?!

The next morning, I took Maddie to the Layton parade.  And this wasn't just ANY parade, it was Maddie's very 1st parade!!  She was totally diggin' it  :)

Later that afternoon, we randomly decided to hit the pool!  This time Gammie, McEm, and Jayden joined us!  Maddie also debuted her 3rd swimsuit of the season :)

Maddie wowed us with her swimming skills!   The girl's not even two yet and she was floating in the water with just her little arm floaties just kicking away :)

She also scared the crap out of her Gammie when she wanted to jump in from the side of the pool!

Then we dried off outside while Maddie and Jayden played with ice on the ground

Later that night, we dragged everybody out to the Layton fireworks show and I got try some more shots!  This is only the second time we've been to Layton, but they know how to please a crowd!  It took us forever to get home because it was soooo crowded!   But for me, it was well worth it :)