4th of july weekend fun!

we have been busy bees here in toth-land....
my days off have been jam packed full of fun!
lets start with last weekend....4th of july weekend!
4th of july is my FAVORITE summer holiday!
i just love all the air shows, BBQs, swimming, and fireworks!

saturday, july 2, the hottest day in the past 2 weeks, i wanted to go down to the river front to watch the air show! we were right across the mississippi river from down town st. louis. we didnt want to go to st. louis in all that crowd, so we opted to stay on the IL side.... we had a great view of the planes....but it was disgustingly hot!~ i dont usually sweat....but i was a sweaty mess! ewww....gross!

after the air show, we went back to matts parents house, napped finley, and hung out in the pool with his family! his brother and niece were in town from arkansas....
then, that evening, we went to a little park in south st. louis, met a few friends, and watched fireworks! i was afraid finley may be scared, we sat in the second row, right where they were lighting them off....but she WASNT! she kept smiling, giggling, pointing and saying "ohhhhh". it was the cutest thing EVER!

sunday, july 3 we got up and went to church, then headed back to matts parents house for some more family loving, pool fun, and BBQ!!!!...then the storms rolled in....and all the evening plans (fireworks...concerts....) were cancelled due to the horrible storms...so what did we do instead?!?!?
plan B....matts sister has an ice cream maker...so we made homemade banana ice cream! the kids had a blast! and the ice cream was delicious!

monday, july 4th! we got up early, and headed back to matts parents house to have breakfast. matt made to-die-for pancakes for everyone!....then his brother and niece started their drive back to arkansas...we hung out a little longer, then went home...to nap! it was a long weekend! and i had to work that night...
finley loves the stairs at grandma and grandpas house, so we have to put up a gate...she then insists to climb the 3 bottom stairs and turn the hall light on...and off....and on...and off! ahhh, the little things that make a 17 month old happy!
and the little things that drives a mama nuts....finley wont keep her pretty bow in her hair! EVER!
her bangs are long (i dont want to cut them...yet), so i try to put pretty bows in her hair to keep them out of her face. the second i put the bow in her hair...she is ripping it out...and sticking it in her mouth! then she runs from me, laughing, with the bow in her teeth.......apparently this is a fun game!?!?!?

hanging out with my girl...right before nap time...

monday night i went to work....and matt had people over at our house to swim....then they all walked the few blocks to our towns park and watched fireworks. they had a great time...while i was slaving away at work!;-)
but, at least hunky hubby was sweet enough to send me several pictures of their fun...and a video of the fireworks grand finale! so i knew what i was missing didnt feel left out while i was slaving away at work!