4th of July, and a trip to Mimi's

We started July out with dinner and fireworks at Pops and Memaw's house. This has been a tradition since before we even had kiddos, and we have done our best to make it happen around the 4th each year. I love watching these cousins play and enjoy each other!

The hardest part is always waiting until it is completely dark to start the fireworks. The excitement and anticipation is almost more than the kiddos (and the guys!) can handle! So we started with sparklers. Macie is a little leery of sparklers since she got burned to a crisp by one a few years ago....well, ok maybe it was more like one little spark slightly touched her arm....but in her eyes that's the same thing.

Conquering her fears! (even if only for a few seconds and a photo op...

I love these 3 cousins!!! I love the 4th one too.....but he was inside asleep on Memaw's chest!

Let's get this show started!!

The guys put on a great show for us all, and we enjoyed watching! Any time all the Pools and Popes are together is a good time!
We celebrated the 4th of July on July 3rd at the Middleton's! Any time you get the Rileys, Pools, Baldwins, and Middletons together is a great time! And add in the Breedloves and you have a true party!!
These kiddos swam all day long!!

Back: Madison's friend, Landry, Owen on Carter's shoulders, Madison, Brenna
Front: Macie, Maylee and Avery

Avery, Brenna and Landry all get along SO well! 

Jamie taught them how to play Spot It

Pool VOLLEYBALL! It got pretty competitive!

And eventually as the kids start to trickle out of the pool...the adults take over!

That evening we all loaded up on buggies and went down to the pond and did some fireworks!

Brenna thinks she's one of the big girls.

These two have made fast friends!

This made Mama nervous... but it's a good thing Daddy is more fun than I am!

Unfortunately, the Riley's had to head back to Granbury the next morning. But the rest of us gathered for a second day of soaking up some sun.

Nothing beats eating cold watermelon while wearing a swim suit on a hot day and just jumping in the pool to get the sticky juice off of you!  

Landry, Avery, Maylee, Brenna and Macie
GIRL POWER

This may be the best "jump on 3" picture EVER!!

Even Macie and Maylee almost got it right!

2 days later, the girls and I loaded up and headed north!

Next stop....Mimi's house!!!!!

I can't believe it took us until July 6th to make it to Mimi's this summer! We really prefer to go as soon as school is out and then get to go back again in August. But for some reason, July is when we finally made it up!
Since we were there ON Graddy's birthday, Brenna insisted that we had to go to SIDS for lunch and put a candle on our cony just for Graddy!

That afternoon we taught Taron, Aunt Susan and Mimi how to play Spot It!

The next day we went shopping! Macie had an agenda. She had asked for money for her birthday so that she could get a Vera Bradley backpack! I loved watching her go in there with her own money, pick out what she wanted, and proudly pay for it!

And by the next store, she was already carrying it around!

I captured this precious moment that afternoon back at Mimi's. She was playing school. I love that they love being at Mimi's house so much. I hope that they always treasure the memories we make there.

That evening was one for relaxing! And there is no better way to relax than with cherry pie and a nice, friendly (ha!) game of canasta!

The next morning, Uncle Dave had scheduled to take the girls to ride a horse! I didn't know about it until we were on our way already, so they didn't have the proper attire...but we made do! Taron and Aunt Susan went with them, and when I asked if I was supposed to go...I was told to stay in my pajamas and enjoy coffee with Mimi- in the peace and quiet! Man- they sure know the way to my heart!

Cherry pie, coffee, and Mimi....perfection.

The girls had a BLAST!!!! Thank you so much Uncle Dave for taking them to do this!! They still talk about it to this day!
Here is their adventure in pictures-

The love this girl has for her Taron is amazing.

So excited!

Short people need a little help from Uncle Dave!

Probably one of my most favorite pictures ever!

I LOVE these two!

After they got back and we all showered- we had to make a run to SIDS. Because BURGERS AND CONEYS!

That afternoon we took the girls to feed the ducks and play at the playground. It's their favorite thing to do. They always ask Mimi if we can go feed the ducks, and she always just "happens" to have a whole loaf of stale bread for them to take. Mimi's are tricky like that. 

Nolan wasn't too enthusiastic about going with us to feed the ducks, but reluctantly joined us after a little begging. And I think in the end....he was GLAD he joined!

The ducks were happy to see these girls and their bread!

And then we moved on to a new playground. Mimi said that the city had redone a few playgrounds, so we tried one out. 

Why yes, that's Nolan and his long legs going down the slide! And eventually almost getting stuck.

Taron is never far behind when there is fun to be had!

Everyone enjoys a good swing!

It was at this point that a great day got better!!! We spotted the new handicap swing.

Nolan was pushing all of us in it, and we were laughing SO hard! While I was in it, I uttered the phrase "I'd give $20 to see Mimi get in this!" She was sitting in the car watching us, and Brenna quickly said "ok!" and took off running! The child has no filter...so she told Mimi exactly what I said, and Mimi said "I don't need $20. I'll do it!" And as soon as she started walking towards us, the laughter started!

And what happened next can only be described as one of the funniest things I have ever witnessed! Our 83 year old Mimi crawled in the children's handicap swing at the park and got strapped in! And as soon as Nolan started pushing her, we were all bent over laughing!

I think Nolan's face here describes what we were all feeling!

Our Mimi is the BEST SPORT EVER!!! Not many 83 year old great grandmother's would join us in playing on the handicap swing! I only wish I had taken a video of the whole thing. But I was focusing too hard on NOT wetting my pants!

After we did a little swinging on the regular swings, Mimi and I both agreed that we think those seats are a little smaller than when we were younger! I feel confident that it has nothing to do with us being bigger....
It was another WONDERFUL trip to El Reno. We love our family time at Mimi's house. And we are never far from her driveway before the girls are asking when we can come back!