4th of July

I hope everyone had a great 4th. We did! It was nice having a long weekend rather than having the 4th right in the middle of the week. Of course, we didn't think about this until the very last minute and my friend Andrea and I decided we wanted to go away and do something fun with our girls. We ended up taking them camping for a night. Randy's parents and friends were already camping up in Cherokee so we crashed their party and added a couple tents next to their camper. It took all of 2 seconds for the girls to notice the river next to the campground and want to go play. The water was freezing cold, Andrea and I opted out of joining in, but the 2 Daddy's along with Mr. Eddie (he's practicing up for what he gets to do with his new granddaughter) braved the cold water to help these girls tube down the river. They are already learning how to use their female charms. :)

Daddy even joined in on a ride with Isabella

Amelia liked playing in the water, but decided tubing wasn't for her. She's seems very happy with her decision. :)

Afterwards we went "gem mining" with the girls where they got to find all kinds of pretty "rocks". :) I got this cute picture after we were all done. One of hopefully many more memories these girls get to make together.

As always, Isabella made a few new friends while we were there. I have never seen another child that is like Isabella, she really never meets a stranger. And not just kids, anyone... and it gets a little scary for mommy. We're at the fireworks and she just goes and sits down with people we've never met. One time, I thought I could try to teach her about strangers (we've had so many talks though its just not even funny) because she had gone and started talking to this older man just a little over from us. We called her back and I whispered "You don't talk to strangers without mommy or daddy. Isabella, you don't know that man." And she says "Yes, I do" ---- "You do? Well, what's his name?" (Thinking she would say I don't know because as friendly as my child is she has her daddy's "gift" to forget a name as soon as it has come out of the persons mouth :) Without hesitating she said "Billy." My plan totally backfired, the one time my child remembers a name. :) I love that she is friendly, we go to a playground or a restaurant or a store and she automatically makes friends --- I can see how God can use this in the future, so its hard for me. I'm not the most outgoing person and I don't want to put my fears of talking to people onto her, but I'm not going to be able to let her out of my site until she's MUCH older and then maybe will grasp the idea of strangers.

Anyway, all that from just mentioning that she made these 2 new friends while we were there.

And from these 2 cute little pictures I told Kenny..... "We're SO in trouble."

Amelia liked playing with friends too, but she was much more content just to stay with us and be a little nut. Ms. Marie had bought the girls some little treats and one of them was a magnifying glass and as you can see Amelia thought it was lots of fun.

I love these pictures of Kenny and Amelia, she was doing her normal game of refusing to give us kisses or wiping them away after she does. So sweet seeing my hubby and my girls enjoying each other. We stayed at the campground that evening and they had a group singing and it was a Christian group (although during the "intermission" they had some old people sing and their music should have been considered ungodly. I'm not even sure if it was a joyful noise, or just a noise. The fireworks were really good, especially considering it was just the campground letting them off, I wasn't expecting much so I was pleasantly surprised. Isabella loved watching them, but wanted daddy's hands over her ears, Amelia fell asleep in the middle of the display after letting out a few "Ooohs" and "wows". Here are my 2 favorite pics from that night.