4th of July Weekend

We had a pretty busy few days over 4th of July.  York has their fireworks on July 3rd every year, so this year we planned to go with my family and celebrate Katy's birthday which was on the 1st.  Brooks was super excited to go see the fireworks.  We had been talking about fireworks ever since the firework selling tents were put up earlier in the week.  There was even a giant blow up gorilla in front of the tent in the Ace parking lot, and Brooks thought that was really fun.  For about 2 weeks all he could talk about were the gorillas in front of firework tents (we saw a total of 4 gorillas by tents, 3 in York and 1 in Aurora). 

Before the fireworks started, the kids got to just run around and play which was a fun way to pass the evening until it was dark

 Katy opening her presents (actually Lane ended up opening them because Katy didn't like all the attention on her and wouldn't open them!)

 Grandma and Papa came up for the day and got to watch fireworks with us

 Aunt Cody brought glow bracelets and Brooks and Lane enjoyed playing with those.  Brooks also got his stuffed goat back from Grandma Jost (it had lost an ear about a year ago and we brought it to Grandma to fix)  Brooks was so excited to have him back!

 It got a little chilly toward dusk, and both kids were getting pretty tired, but it worked out well to have Grandma there to hold Keely since I ended up having to hold Brooks the whole time!

 As soon as the fireworks started, Brooks crawled up on my lap and held on pretty tight.  He said they were too loud.  Toward the end he had started to enjoy them more, but was not going to let go of me!

Then on the 4th of July, Brooks got to go golfing with Daddy and Papa, while Keely and I went out for lunch with Grandma and a quick trip to Walmart. 
In the evening on 4th of July, we went to my parents' house and played outside and enjoyed a small firework show.

 The kids wouldn't hold the sparklers, so Blake, Laura, Bret and cousin Scott had fun with them! :)

 Brooks and Keely at least watched and enjoyed this part!

 Once the louder fireworks started, Brooks and Keely both were not impressed...they were just too close and very loud! Brooks liked these smaller quiet ones! :)

So after several late nights and busy days, the kids and us were all exhausted.  (We had also spent the whole week potty training Brooks, which also wore us all out, but more on all of that in another post!)  Overall it was a fun holiday weekend, and the kids all survived the firework shows.  The next weekend Henderson had their Community Days and a firework show that Saturday night, and the kids loved it! Maybe at least Brooks will have fond memories of fireworks now and won't be as scared at first next year!