4TH OF JULY FUN

I was really eager to get away for the 4th of July weekend because I'd been cooped up at home with the babies for just too long...so we made a grand plan to fly up to Santa Barbara to visit our friends, the Marquis. However, we ended up feeling a bit unsure about the flight on such a busy weekend, so, sadly, we were stuck without a place to go. Thankfully, last minute, our friends invited us to their river house in Blythe, CA. We happily accepted. Thanks Scott, Shellie, and Avery--and the Gardner family--for including us in your fun 4th of July Festivities.

Check out our sweet tie-dye--a highly recommended 4th of July activity...thanks Ray!

We've been to The River once before with the Gardner family and Matt had the time of his life, so he was super excited to have Tanner join in on the fun. And oh boy did Tanner have fun.

He tried out the Jet Ski

(don't even ask me what I'm doing with my dangling hand there...a bit odd looking, i know...)

He went wake-surfing with Dad

He cruised around in the boat and on the tube

And he picked up some mad four-wheelin' skills.

Matt had his share of fun. He baked himself in the sun...

took on the giant slip n' slide

And just wore himself out...

(The boys wanted Matt to come out and play and were tired of waiting for him to wake up...so they took matters into their own hands)

I'll tell you one thing, Blythe is the place to be on the 4th of July. They put on a fabulous firework show on the local high school football field, and even hand out free popsicles that are seriously the size of your arm.

It was a bit of a late night for Tanner, but as soon as the fireworks started, he calmed right down and enjoyed the show

Kaden had a great time over the weekend...and was on his best behavior so Mom could have a nice, relaxing weekend. Isn't he just such a little cutie!?

WE HOPE YOU ALL HAD A "SPARKLING" 4TH OF JULY!

4th of July Fun

We had a really fun 4th of July at Dana Point with a great group of friends and our adorable brother and sister-in-law, Brandon and Lindsay. Thanks Adam and Melissa for "opening your hearts and your home . . . " :)

The firework show was great! Luckily, we had an awesome photographer - thanks Ashley - who was able to capture the fireworks lighting up the sky behind us . . . so romantical . . . :)

Earlier that evening, before the fireworks kicked off, the boys cooked us up a delicious barbeque - best sliders ever!! It's all about the Hawaiian rolls! MMmmmm. The Belly was thoroughly satisfied . . . until it heard that there was ice cream in the freezer . . . May I introduce you to:

"Ice Cream Willey"
(insert creepy ice cream truck music here)

When I took this picture, I didn't realize how creepy my ice cream man looked . . . he seemed so adorable when I opened up the wrapper and found his crooked little smile grinning back up at me . . . he tasted yummy and that's all that really matters anyway. :)

We all had a great time staying up late playing cards games and Guesstures. I got a little bit competitive with Speed . . . only because I was just not on my game!! Ashley, Natalie . . . I officially challenge the both of you to a rematch!!

And Guesstures . . . words cannot express the joy that this game brings to my life. No game has ever caused me to laugh harder. Thank you to Regan, Ashton, and now Natalie, for your amazing Guesstures performances - they will forever live in my memory.

We spent the next day at the beach before Brandon, Lindsay, Matt, and I headed back to LA to catch the 8pm performance of Wicked. I have been trying to get Matt to go to this show with me for months and months . . . It was fabulous!!