Firestation Visit 2014

For a few years now it's been a summer tradition for a group of us to take the kids to a local forestation for a fire safety visit.  It started out as a small group of us (literally one year there were only 3 mom's and our kids), but now it has grown to be a huge group.

I've kept it no secret from everyone that this is not exactly my favorite summer tradition.  It's hot and LL is only interested in the fire truck portion.  We still go because, even though I don't love it, I think it's important for her to learn about fire safety and to see the fireman get dressed up.

To be honest though, this year I was pretty excited.  I didn't take Cooper last year because he still had two naps a day and our trip fell during one of his naps.  This year, he was totally going with us.  And I knew that home boy was going to loose.  his.  mind.  He loves all things vehicle (hello - we had a construction birthday party), so I knew this was going to blow him away.  And I was right!  It really was more fun seeing it all through his eyes and how excited he was.  And because LL is all about some sibling rivalry, she had a blast because she was trying to have more fun than Cooper.  ;)  So it was an all around great visit for all of us!

He's got that pointer finger ready!

We had to wear our firetruck shirt, of course!

While everyone else toured the fire house, Cooper and I stayed outside for him to see the trucks.  I had already taken him in the firehouse (to change a poopy diaper - great timing, kid) and knew it wouldn't be anything that he would be interested in.  While everyone else was inside, Cooper got a picture with one of the firemen!

LL had so many friends come this year - she loved it!  This was Ansley's first year coming with us.

Such a good big sister helping him put his hat back on.  :)

Waiting to squirt the fire hose.

Cooper had no hesitation about it (and I actually think he cut in line to get up there faster - haha).

And for the first year every, LL did the hose, too!  Can't be upstaged by little brother, right?

The one thing Cooper didn't want to do?  Get in the firetruck!  I was so surprised!  So he stood on the wall the whole time that the other kids went through the truck - haha.  

Somebody turned on the lights to another truck during this.  Cooper was so excited.

Our group this year!

After the forestation we went to Chick-Fil-A.  The kids played for a while and then we ate lunch.  It was so cute because, for the first time ever, we just put the kids all at their own table.  And they did so great!  Of course it was adorable.

So I will say that this trip was much more enjoyable with a child who was over the moon to see everything.  Maybe it will help me have a better attitude about going every year.  :)

You can see our past visits here:
2013
2011

4th of July 2014

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I just love that it's in the middle of summer.  The feeling of still having a lot of summer left is in the air, but we've already been out of school for a while.  It's all about just having fun and eating some of my favorite food.  It's all around just a fantastic holiday!  

This year we were just planning on inviting some people over to our house for a cook-out when my mom asked if we wanted to come over there.  Pool + 4th of July = absolutely!  We stayed at home until after nap and Matt smoked a boston butt for dinner.  After naps we headed over to Gigi's for swimming and eating!

Before the fun got started, I wanted to get some pictures of the kids and (hopefully) a family picture.

First attempt at a family picture.  Fail - haha.

She has been looking so big to me lately.  She has no baby left in her!

Attempt number two - this is the best we were gonna get.

I gave up on the picture idea and it was time to jump in the pool!  Some of our family took that quite literally.  :)

I love how you can just see how much he loves this!

We can't keep this one out of the water!  She has been a fish this summer!!

We all swam for about an hour before we had to get out for dinner time!  We had the best 4th of July dinner - pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad!

After dinner, we headed back outside for even more food.  First up?  Watermelon!  Both kids devoured it.

We had a special treat for the kids: s'mores!  LL has had them a few times before, but Cooper has never had them.  

First taste, here we go...

He was a fan!  I think he ate two all by himself.  Which may or may not be the same amount that Mommy ate, too.

Love this.  :)

Don't mess with my s'more!

Such a sweet honey to roast marshmallows for me.

After watermelon and s'mores, we went to the backyard for "fireworks".  In other words, big sparklers that make noise - haha.  We knew LL would love the fireworks, but didn't really know how Cooper would do.  My mom had these cute pool chairs, so we set the kids up in these.  Daddy was in charge of the fireworks, and I was in charge of taking pictures.  I'm posting a lot of them, but I just *loved* their expressions.  They were so awesome!

Ready to go!  Waiting for Daddy to get started.

Cooper was a little unsure at first…LL not so much - haha.

We took a break to do some sparklers.  The kids were not having any of it!

See?  Nothing huge.

Cooper's face in this one cracked me up.

Lorelai, what sound do the fireworks make?

Daddy was in love with his job.

….and he's over it!

After bed time, Matt and I headed outside to do some sparklers by ourselves.  :)

Here's how our family has changed over the years!

When editing the pictures, I loved how LL was making some of the same faces that she did a few years ago.  You can still just see her.  I love it.

You can see some of our past July 4th here:
2013 (celebrating at Oma and Opa's)
2012 (celebrating at him because we had a newborn!)
2011 (fireworks at Gigi's)
2010 (celebrating with Grammy and Pop)
2009 (our first 4th as parents!)