The Fourth

We were able to spend the 4th with my sister, Amy, and her family with us for the week.  Since we had moved, life has been so crazy I hadn't had a chance to really do any shopping for the house.  So the first day they were here, Amy and I headed up to chicago to shop all things fun like homegoods and ikea! Amy had never been to ikea so I got to introduce her to the whole new world it is.  I know all our friends are always aghast but I tell you, they weren't around "our parts" growing up. : )  We had lots of fun and found some good finds.

The fun part of ikea?  Assembly!  Good thing Uncle Ken had such good helpers.

Intense concentration

Having fun shopping with Cole and Aunt Amy

They brought their dog Oliver . . .you may remember from posts long ago how much Ava loves Oliver?  Kate and Olivia quickly joined the fan club.  : ) 

Ava and Sophie were quite the pair all week

 Olivia having fun with new play doh

The morning of the 4th, we headed to a local parade 

Then headed home to grill out for lunch

That evening we to a local 4th of July concert in a park and had a picnic dinner.  It was warm but it was nice and laidback and just fun to be together.

I couldn't believe how long Kate and Olivia sat and listened so intently

Maybe I should maybe make you all guess who. : )

Cole and Kate

Cole and Olivia

It was a good thing towards the end my girls got snuggly . . . .I was a little cold.

right.

Amy and Sophie

 My pictures randomly mixed up and it was too many to fix : )

So back to waiting for the parade to start

After the concert we got settled in for fireworks.  Snow cones anyone?

Ken & Soph

Ken & Cole

Cole and one of his buddies

Probably one of my favorite pictures of the week.

Kate loved the fireworks

Watching

Olivia did NOT like the fireworks

Snuggling and reading books with Aunt Amy their last night

sisters

And back to the parade

These three always make me laugh . . .

such goofy girls

 Parade!

(notice Kate unwrapping candy already)

Sophie and me

 Notice a theme with Olivia and noise?

Can't wait for you guys to come back!