Happy 4th!!!

Happy 4th of July to everyone here in the United States. :) It was a fun but very long day. We celebrated Jerry's 40th birthday and my brother's 51st which is tomorrow. We had a small gathering of family but it was nice. Gracie's cousin Kevin came over who is so good with Gracie. He took care of her all day, like a little sister, I hardly saw her at all! At night, we had fireworks in our backyard because technically, we aren't supposed to shoot them off but they were the safe and insane, I mean sane ones bought from a fireworks stand in a neighboring city. Poor Gracie and Kevin stayed inside the whole time with Grandma, because they were scared, while us adults acted like giggling kids and watch the show.

Tomorrow, Gracie, Grandpa, and I are leaving for New Jersey to visit family for two weeks. Yikes! What is Jerry going to do with all that alone time? Can you please say some special prayers and good thoughts for a safe flight as I am freaking out because I am not crazy about flying, especially considering the latest events. I will not be blogging while I am gone but will have my camera and of course phone so will be posting on Facebook.

See you in two weeks!

I love this picture. It was taken from my camera phone.

We started with the small slide and....

moved up because Gracie got bored quickly. Not with this one though. She and Kevin were literally in the pool all day.

Splash!

Kevin and Gracie sharing some bubbles

Jerry made ribs in the smoker

Kevin and Gracie thought it was there birthday so they decided to blow out Frank and Jerry's candles!

Uncle Pete thinks something is funny

Some of the fireworks. This picture cracks me up because Gracie's 15 year old cousin freaked out when the sparks started to fly and this is a picture of her head as she was running into my shot!

Swim Party

Last Tuesday, the Lucky Mommy's got together for a pool party. Mia's mom Christy was so kind to host the party and she has a beautiful house and backyard. It was so fun and relaxing to just hang out in the pool and have a bbq. Christy had this really cool floaty thing that she had bought for Mia but graciously allowed Gracie to try and it was awesome. It kept Gracie straight up and down the whole time and she was able to swim all around on her own without my holding her up. I loved it so much that I had to go and buy one which we used yesterday and it worked like a charm. I was and still am amazed that Gracie can swim on her own with the floaty on! Of course I didn't take any pool pictures but when we go back east, I will try to get some of Gracie in the pool so you can see what I am talking about. I feel so blessed and happy to have this wonderful group of people in our lives.

I also wanted to wish my hubby Jerry a very happy 40th birthday today! Gracie and I love you honey and may all your wishes come true.

Some of the lucky moms

Mia enjoying her food

Michelle and Ryan

Karen and Becky

Gracie and Mia trying to decide who gets to ride the bike

Christy made these wondering cookie cupcakes which Gracie loved

Frosting face

Because she didn't have enough, she needed to lick her fingers

Gracie had a blast playing Legos