Fourth of July 2013!

Caeden absolutely L.O.V.E.S. the fourth of July!!  But what boy doesn't?  This is the holiday that even my dad and husband show their "I'm still a boy at heart" side!  This was Callie's first Fourth of July and this was her last "first holiday."  We woke up that morning, and after Callie's morning nap we headed to New Life Ranch, where Reid's brother & his wife live.  We met Reid's parents and Gram out there and had a simple potluck lunch!

We then headed outside for Caeden's favorite part - the fireworks!  For the past week, he would ask every day if it was time to shoot fireworks.  And finally, we could say "Yes!!"  He was not afraid - he loved helping to shoot them, he loved trying to catch the parachutes, and his favorite part...running through the smoke bombs!  The loud popping noises did not bother Callie at all - she never even once jumped!  I attribute this to the fact that she lives with a noisy brother who is banging and yelling on an hourly basis!  She sat back with Mommy, Nonni, Aunt Jennifer and Great-Gram as we watched the boys have fun!  At one point, the guys were even trying to blow up an army guy!  But it never worked - regardless of the tactics they tried!

Another new thing - this year Caeden figured out how he could twist fireworks together, or stick the fuses into other fireworks' holes - making them go off at the same time.  This was truly his FAVORITE thing to do - all day he just kept combining various fireworks.  At one point in the day, someone asked Caeden what he wanted to be when he grew up, and to our surprise he answered, "A firework-maker!"

After Caeden had a nap, he got to go down to the creek and swim with Daddy & Uncle Rhett.  Again, us girls were just spectators.  And then we finished the day by having an old-fashioned BBQ dinner outside - with the campers!  We headed back home after dinner, and let Caeden shoot off a few more fireworks in our yard.  He just kept continuously asking to shoot more!

Trying to catch a parachute!

Mommy & Caeden running through the smoke bomb!

After bath, we watched a short movie together, and then Caeden sat in Mommy's lap outside while Daddy shot off some nighttime fireworks.  He sat very still, but honestly wasn't as impressed as I thought he would be.  I think he liked the daytime ones more...maybe because he got to participate more?  The next day, the question from Caeden's mouth was, "Do we get to do more fireworks today?"  No buddy, unfortunately we don't!  He's already looking forward to the Fourth of July next year!!