Fourth of July

We had a lovely Fourth of July.  A bunch of friends and their kiddos came over and we had a blast.  A massive water balloon fight (Bryan filled 400 balloons!), playing in the sprinklers, grilling out, parachutes and smoke bombs, ice cream sundaes, yard games, and a lovely fireworks show to top it off. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

I realized how independent my daughter is becoming during that party.  There were many times where I wouldn't see her for awhile, and would go find her playing with the kids or running through the sprinkler or grazing off of everyone else's unattended plates, just having fun doing things on her own!  Such a big, grown girl.

We had one funny moment at the end of the night when we were doing the "big" fireworks.  It was after 9 o'clock, but I had let her stay up because I wanted her to see the sparkly stuff.  I kept asking if she wanted to go to bed, and she kept telling me no so I let her enjoy the show.  We were sitting on a blanket in the yard watching Daddy and Uncle J light off the fireworks, when one of those really loud, screaming fireworks went off.  She started crying instantly and waving her hands, saying "Nigh-night! Nigh-night!"  So she went to bed and didn't see so many sparkly ones after all!

Auntie Em brought some cool sunglasses for the kids.  And Izzie loved the water guns Auntie Brittany brought.  She couldn't quite get the hang of it, though, so she would just point it at you and you had to pretend you were getting wet.

Izzie was not impressed with the water balloon fight -- a little too much action and screaming for her tastes -- but once the ammunition was out she really enjoyed running through the sprinkler by herself.

An outfit change (headband made by Auntie Em) once the wet activities were done. 

You must do cheesy decorations on the Fourth.

Look at all those kiddos!  No wonder Izzie had fun!

Her first date with Brayden, her someday husband (so far the marriage is arranged, but we have no doubt they will grow to love each other).  Caden popped by to be a chaperone after he saw them sitting alone.  Brayden seems to be in awe of Izzie's pickle pounding abilities.