4th of July

We had a great 4th of July. We invited a few kids from around the neighborhood to decorate bikes and have a little 'parade.' It was really laid back. I think the kids had a good time. I told Thomas ahead of time what we would be doing and he wanted me to lead the parade holding a flag on a big stick. The things you do for your kids! He made the flag and taped it to a BIG stick and made sure to remind me to head off the parade. I felt a little silly, but it was fun. I jogged ahead with the big kids and the other parents went slow with the little ones.
We got some weird flu-ish bug right around the 4th. We lucked out, though, because Nicholas had a fever all day the 3rd. Thomas had a fever all day the 5th. And Estella had one all day the 6th. It was a blessing they all felt good on the 4th.

I don't have a picture of this, but I want to tell it anyway. For dinner on the 4th we ate at Jackson's bosses house. He made some delicious ribs...soft meat, scrumptious spicy sauce...they were good. Estella was sitting on Jackson's lap and she grabbed a rib bone off his plate. I thought she would take one taste and not like it because the sauce was pretty spicy, but she started in on that thing and wouldn't stop for anything! She worked on that bone for a good hour and a half! She cleaned every morsel of meat, fat, and sauce off it. It was so funny to see her munching on it.

The night of the 4th we spent with Jackson's family lighting off fireworks in his parent's front yard. His dad had taken a trip though Wyoming and he picked up a lot of fun fireworks while he was there. It was a fun day.

Sunday I stayed home from church with Estella when she was sick. There was a little bit of time when she was acting happy, so I took her outside to take some pictures of her adorable-ness. I got one happy face....

And then about 8 sad faces. Is is mean to take a picture of your baby crying?