Red, White, and...Cute?

I have blogged many times before

about how there are so many times

in motherhood that you have something fabulous

planned in your head...and when it plays out...

well, let's just say it is less than fabulous. :)

Today I experienced one of those.

There is a cute little building in Downtown Clovis

that has a giant American flag painted on the side.

So...I got the munchkins in their festive wear,

loaded them in the car, along with a cute little wagon prop,

patriotic sunglasses (thank you Target $ Spot), bribed the

oldest munchkin with frozen yogurt, headed out, to find...

Yup.

A car. Parked in front of said flag wall!

Really?

Yup.

And no...that isn't some "fancy" camera filter...

just a VERY dirty windshield. :)

So, being the mom/person that I am,

I was NOT going to let this Honda Civic ruin my plan.

The above mentioned building also has a

red, white, and blue rustic door.

New plan.

Cue the cute munchkins.

Hmmm...my "vision" did not include a

hunched over darling and a cheesy smiling...

if we will call it that...

five year old.

Take two... 

Even more hunched baby...

and even less of a natural smiling five year old.

Could it have been the fact that it felt like we were standing on the sun?

But remember...

I bribed him with frozen yogurt...

so there wasn't a single complaint. :)

Then there was this...

I mean...really?

Since the wagon didn't work,

I thought...let's try them just sitting...

Well...I got one child looking at me...

with freakishly long looking legs...

scrunched up face...

 (but not a complaint...remember the yogurt)

and a super cute baby...

trying to eat her thumb.

But I wouldn't give up...

I kept trying...

with no success...

And then this guy...

He really does kill me!

I was calling it a wrap and decided that

I wanted to try and get a shot of just him.

Here's his pose!

Love him!!!

He is always up for my shenanigans...

especially when frozen yogurt is involved. :)

So...I tried.

As you can see...I will NOT be giving up 

teaching for photography anytime soon...

but I will continue to bribe my children for the chance at getting

some super cute, over the top, festive, thematic pictures. ;)

Fourth of July Festivities!

Fourth of July...my favorite holiday!

Every year we head over to the Netto's house for a day of swimming, bbqing, dipsy doodling, fireworks, and so much more! 

Never heard of Dipsy Doodle? Only the most competitive, sometimes...who am I kidding...ALWAYS...full-contact, pool game that includes one tooth pick that is left at the bottom of the pool and all of the players stand on the pool deck, waiting for it to float up, and then you all jump in to try and grab the tooth pick. I know...it sounds goofy...but don't knock it till you've tried it. :)

Part of our tradition is that I am in charge of dessert. You all know how I love to keep to the theme...and over the years I have done many variations of  red, white, and blue treats. This year I did a repeat...I know, how could I...but they were such a hit the first time, I had to. 

Nothing says, "America" like red, white, and blue push-pop cupcakes!

And I always like to bring some sort of "healthy" snack...

so I put together some quick strawberry, blueberry, and marshmallow kabobs.

Someone had a REALLY rough afternoon! :)

Don't let the "relaxed" look fool you. 

He was scared, mad, and tense as could be. 

Have I mentioned that my son HATES swimming pools? Yup. HATES them.

After an afternoon of swimming, food, and fun, it was time for...FIREWORKS!

This little one couldn't wait!

Note that the squinty eyes are the look of the night. :)

Landry loves him some sparklers!

Nolan does, too!

Obviously you can't tell from this picture, but Landry got so into the spirit that he started to dance to the very patriotic playlist that Sheri created for us. 

Yes, we have a soundtrack for our fireworks shows...we don't mess around. :)

We had just a "few" fireworks...

and even about 6,943 sparklers!

Does anyone else end up with a BILLION sparklers? 

I mean seriously...we always have a ton and we keep buying less and less and we still have more and more. 

I think it is some evil ploy by the firework companies. :)

I am not seeing the "sparkler joy" in these faces...what about you?

Since Sheri and I are the "amazing" dancers that we are...we were very inspired by one of the musical selections and decided to "perform" our own spontaneous, sparkler-wielding, interpretive dance of patriotism. :)

Here is Sheri getting started...

Clearly my leaps have lost a bit of their form over the years...

and Sheri had a perfectly "choreographed" finale...disposing of her burned out sparkler in the water tub.

Just a little proof that once a pep girl...always a pep girl! :)

Here was my first attempt at getting a pic of Landry and Chad.

Can you feel the joy?

No? Come on...Chad clearly looks thrilled...

and Landry looks a bit frightened of the fireworks behind him.

I promise you he was not even close to being in harm's way...the angle is little off and does look like he is super close...but he wasn't. :)

That's better!

Dave decided to perform his own dance...

with his very own, unique ending!

If you have read about our past 4th of Julys then you know that we have another "tradition" that I like to call, "The Crazy Guys with Fireworks Totem Pole."

Normally Brian will sit on Jake's shoulders, both of them with fireworks in hand, and pose for the cameras.

Sadly, neither Jake nor Brian were able to make it this year...so the tradition had to come to an end. :(

But wait...two other crazy guys tried to re-create it!

Yes, Chad and Ryan attempted...but it didn't have quite the flair that Brian and Jake give it.

Ha, just realized my funny pun. :)

I think it is safe to say that Nolan and Landry were not too sure of what to make of their fathers' actions!

Landry and me...oops squinty eyes...

let's try it again...not so great either...oh well.

As our fireworks show was coming to an end it was time for some dessert!

Sheri and I with our sparklers!

Here is a rather funny series of attempts to get a family picture...

1. Too much smoke.

2. Landry with closed eyes.

3. Landry and I are smiling...and Chad...not so sure. :)

4. Oh forget it already!

Look at these two cute "boys"...like father, like son!

If you can't tell...Frank is standing on his tippy toes trying so hard to be taller than Davis.

Thank you Netto's for once again, another fabulous 4th of July celebration!

We wouldn't miss it...ahem..unlike some "other" people. ;)

You always know that is was a good party when you crash out in the car, are carried to bed, dead asleep...but you still have a firm grip on your glow stick!

Fireworks, Fun, and Friends!

If you have read my blog for a long time you know that 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love it! It also helps that Chad and I went on our first "date" on 4th of July...10 years ago!!!! How can that possibly be?

Every year we go to our friends', the Nettos and enjoy a day of swimming, eating, hanging by the pool...and of course, fireworks! I have to say that this year was one of the most fun. I think it was all of the kids. :o) What once used to be a pretty much all adults gathering has now turned into a family fun zone with lots of little munchkins...so much more fun with the little ones!

Landry and Victoria had a ton of fun playing in the pool! Yup, you read that right...Landry had FUN in the pool! :o) In the past he has not been a fan of the water. When I say, "not a fan," I mean that it normally involves LOTS of crying, screaming, and shaking. Not yesterday. Yesterday he was all about the water...and he even asked to get back in...two different times! I think it had a bit to do with his buddy Victoria...it is no secret that he LOVES her!

Each year I am in charge of dessert. I always try to do a red, white, and blue treat...and I don't think I have ever repeated the same thing twice. This year's goodies were push-up cupcake pops!

They were delicious...if I do say so myself...and the perfect little treat during fireworks.

After an afternoon of fun in the sun it was time to get the show started!

Sparklers for everyone!!!!

Tommy lighting up the night.

Victoria was double fisted!

Sheri and Victoria

Another "tradition" that we have is to take a sparkler picture. This year proved to be a bit of a challenge. :o) Our photographer, Brian, kept telling us to get the sparklers closer, Sheri and I kept yelling, "Take the picture...we are getting burned." True story. Sparkler pictures are a lot of work...between the smoke that always blows in your face, timing it before the sparkler dies, and of course, trying not to catch each other on fire...this year I think the sparklers got the best of us...but we still got some cute pics! :o)

This one just cracks me up...not the best...but so funny!

Davis decided that he wanted to take my picture with a sparkler...he also gave me a nickname...Crafty Kristin! It was really sweet, he saw some fruit and marshmallow kabobs that I had made and said, "Yup, Crafty Kristin strikes again!" I loved it. :o)

Handsome even got in on the sparkler fun!

He loved holding them and after each one burned out he would say, "Ohhhhhh!" So sweet!

Daddy showing Landry how to light the sparklers.

"Cheese!" As you can see, Landry was very interested in the other fireworks that were going off.

Handsome and me!

My two boys! I LOVE this picture...really...absolutely LOVE it!

Our sweet little family!

Watching the fireworks with Daddy....

and Mommy!

The men behind the show...Jake and Davis!

And of course...the grand finale...the "Jake and Brian Fireworks Human Totem Pole!"

Getting ready...

Look...no hands!

Brian added some extra "flair" to the show this year! :o)

So, another 4th of July has come and gone. Once again, we had a blast...and we are proud to say that nothing was caught on fire, there were no injuries, and of course...I am already thinking of my dessert for next year. :o)