A little 4th of July and a Little Happy Birthday

 Every year we go to Pensacola, FL for 4th of July.  Randy's birthday is the 4th and there is no where he would rather be than with his parents playing in the boat and on the beach.  This year due to work constraints and the timing of the holiday we did our annual day at the beach on Sunday, July 3rd. We got up early and headed to the beach first thing in the morning before it was too hot and too crowded.

Riley was so excited and both of my boys were all prepared for riding their boards in the surf.

Alex, on the other hand, didn't like the ocean waves, didn't like the sand on her feet, and was just generally not happy.  I figured with time we could get her over things.  Time ended up being the one thing we didn't have.  We had been there about 30 minutes when the lifeguards whistled everyone out of the water and told us to clear the beach in preparation for the storm that was brewing off the coast.  So we headed to the boardwalk, did a little shopping, and of course enjoyed some frozen drinks at Bamboo Willie's (our personal favorite place at the beach). Then we decided it was time to head home, eat lunch, and take naps.

After naps, we posed for our family picture in our matching 4th shirts. Then I tried to get pictures of just the two kids.  Here was my result....

First Alex wanted to dance...

 Then Riley tried to control her...

After that, they both wanted to dance...

Finally I got this one... :)

After picture time, we enjoyed Randy's birthday dinner of fresh Shrimp, opening presents, and finally eating cake.

But I really have to laugh at how much this picture looks just like last year.  Karyn specifically ordered a different cake, but they gave her the same one as last year.

Just look at how much Alex has grown up... :(

After ice cream cake it was time for the July 4th festivities, FIREWORKS!!!

 As we walked outside, Alex started freaking out. She wanted a bath, play a game, go to bed, anything to not be around the fireworks. At first even Riley was scared, but it took him about 1 minute to decide to start lighting his own fireworks. I turned around and he was lighting a tank and smiling from ear to ear! Alex eventually relaxed and decided she loved the pretty ones.



Aunt Kalee, Alex, Mama Karyn (Alex changed her name right before the trip), and Aunt Kelly

Both kids enjoying their sparklers.  But if you look really closely, you will see his hand in the cup of water.  Riley accidentally touched one of the lighters while reaching for another firework.  So he spent the rest of the evening soaking his hand in a cup of water.

As the evening wore on, I guess Alex decided the fireworks were getting too bright...

After not near enough time on vacation the next morning, Randy and I headed back to Texas and the kids stayed behind to spend the rest of the week with Grandma Karyn.

So now I have spent the rest of my week, cleaning out the kids closets, taking clothes to be donated, and catching up on my reading. I am almost getting used to the quiet of the house.