Annual Fourth of July Par-Tay

Every year, we have a Fourth of July party at our house. Because the town shoots off their fireworks display directly behind our house, it gives us a great excuse to invite over friends for a cookout, cornhole, bocce ball, sparklers, food, and fun.
















"Ooooooooh, Aaaaaaaaah."


















Kara and Jer snuggle as fireworks burst overhead. Aah, how sweet!


















Ollie and I with our friends Lee, Elizabeth, and Baby Gabriella. This year was Ollie's first July 4th. He totally loved watching the fireworks!














Last year, Merrit accidentally stepped on a sparkler ember in his bare feet, so he took a while getting warmed up to the idea of holding a sparker again this year. Once he worked up his nerve, he had fun doing the Sparkler Dance (basically, running around the yard like a crazy person)!













This year's party was extra special since our great friends from high school, Eric, Lee, and Aaron all came over to join in the festivities! These four have been buddies for a long time. Great memories, great friends.













A surreal moment: Mike and Lee hold babies Ollie and Gabriella. Ollie is just 10 days older that Baby Gabriella. Isn't she a beauty?!


















Lee and Elizabeth watch as their little girl plays with her new friend.













It was so great to meet Elizabeth and Gabriella and to see Lee so happy! (Aw, Eric, you don't HAVE to sit in the teddy-bear chair!)














Good friends catching up. We hadn't seen Aaron (at far right) in an especially long time. It was very, very cool for Mike to see all his best buds. I know it meant a lot to him that they were all able to make it out our way for the holiday!