Sunday, July 5, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!

last year, we were barely settled in our new house...bobby was shooting a wedding. i thought i'd invite a few friends over...spending the fourth of july without friends & family just seemed unimaginable. the previous owners said that you could see the fireworks from our yard (this was something that we did from our roof in ohio and so this was SUCH a thrill for us to again have this 'luxury.').

our impromptu cookout turned into a huge party and by the time bobby got home from the reception, our house was party central...tons of people and food EVERYWHERE.

our house really was not 'entertainment friendly' but we just ignored that and celebrated despite the lack of space :)

so yesterday, as i prepared my home for our second annual fourth of july party, i have to admit that i was overcome with emotion.

what a difference a year makes.

some things remain the same: friendships and fellowship that bring joy and laughter to our home.

some things change: the floorplan being the most obvious change. it's still hard to believe that a hurricane hit our house...our house that we had prayed and trusted for...our house that we were totally content with, despite the small kitchen and the less than open floorplan. we were just so thankful to once again HAVE a place that we could call HOME. as a result of IKE, our home has been completely transformed. may my faith follow suit.

and so THIS YEAR, we had a really fun evening and enjoyed getting to know our new friends leith (did i spell that right?) and amy & their four children.




the fireworks were fabulous and enjoyed from the comfort of our very own driveway (does it GET any better than that?) and captured beautifully by jordan. check out the STAR firework! they even had a smiley face (though that one didn't make it to the camera). some cool new stuff in explosives LOL.

some pics from the day:

a girl should ALWAYS be sure to coordinate with the jello squares.

we love kari & maiko :)



if you don't have a beverage jar, you seriously must invest in one. i fell in love with stacey's at thanksgiving (shown here) & so she got me one for christmas. no party is complete without them!

carson being carson :)

peighton being pretty :)

jane being happy and adorable :)

hudson & his dimples :) don't let the hot dog bun fool you. it's empty. hot dog buns and jello. a completely balanced diet, right?

more food & friends :)

jo-jo & chucky, a divison of rowan & lucky. (just trust me on this...someday they're going to be famous LOL).

carson, hudson, tatiana, levi, jane & luke.

stacey, peighton & tatiana...and bobby's ('new to him') pathfinder. once more, THANK YOU IKE.

jordan being jordan :)

is this a crew or WHAT?????



emma. so so cute!

andrew, tatiana, peighton & nathan. fun with water balloons.

the wind did a number on my flag buntings. but that means there actually was a breeze. so no complaints here :)


love this kid :)
rowan & hudson...not sure this marriage thing is going to work out after all. hudson better hope for a major growth spurt at some point LOL

isn't this the cutest????

when we told the kids to do something crazy, lukey took it a step further than the rest. soooooooo funny.

loud fireworks.

leith, bobby & hudson hanging out watching the show.


an incredible day & evening filled with fun & silliness alongside reflection and remembrances.

xoxo.

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