4th of July Part 1

Hi everyone!! I promised myself that I was going to post these earlier. I ended up spending last week trying to get things together to start the fall semester. I can’t even believe it’s almost here… We start in about five weeks. There was just a few things that I had to make sure I got done so I took the time to get those organized. This is it guys… My last semester! At least my last semester fingers crossed… Ha ha!

So wanted to share with you a little bit of my Fourth of July. I hope you all had an amazing holiday… I know I did! I pray that you all spent quality time with family and friends that you love.

We wanted to re-create a picture of these two little crazies. This is what I love about these kids so much… Every year they really embrace the red, white and blue and show so much spirit dressing up! And as you see they’re still wearing the same socks from five years ago! How cute are they??? My older niece, their sister, does not participate to the extent that they do… Lol.

as most of you know if you follow my blog, every year we do a pontoon parade at my parents lake. Everyone decorate their pontoons and different themes. We’ve done some really fun and awesome themes in the past. You can use the search bar on the right of my blog and search for pontoon parade. You’ll see we’ve done this for many years and we’ve come up with some pretty creative decoration ideas for the boat.

This year we decided to just go with good old red white and blue for the Fourth of July.  Here we are all on the boat ready to drive out to the bay where we were meeting until it got dark and we began the parade.

A closer shot of everyone huddled together…

This is my older sister she came for the pontoon fun! She also brought along her daughter my adorable niece Jessica and my very first great-niece Leighton who is 2 years old! They were in bed as this parade was not going to begin until at least 9:30 PM

we purchased this blowup and light up eagle as part of our Decour this year. I got these fantastic Christmas lights that are LED and you use your phone to make them any color you want! They came in super handy for the red white and blue color! I love that I can use my Christmas lights at multiple times of the year.

That’s my Dad driving and my adorable nieces and nephew behind him!

The morning after the pontoon parade there was a pancake breakfast benefit the ski club at the lake. We went down and had delicious pancakes and sausage and we didn’t even have to cook them ourselves.

Here is my sister and the two peeps that missed the boat parade last night. They were definitely game to come down for pancakes with us! What a bunch of cuties they are!

More of the crew after enjoying their pancakes!

As we ate our breakfast we got to watch the ski club practice their moves. They actually practice on land before they try to do it on their skis.

These are my two nieces Aly and Jessica with my great niece Leighton for her very first tube ride. She did not enjoyed in the beginning but once we got the boat moving, she really did have fun.

here is my other niece Kyleigh and my nephew Ryan having a little tubing fun!!!

These two and the dog appeared to be contemplating life…

A little paddleboard ride…

And a little tumbling fun on the mat…

This is everyone loaded on the boat getting ready for a slow pontoon ride. The dog was so excited to snuggle up next to Aly.

dog selfie anyone? You gotta love Gracie!! Such a cutie!!

The pontoon ride put this one to sleep too…

Gracie had so much fun playing on the mat with the kids…

These two took a little JetSki ride together… This is the first year the kids have really been able to drive it alone. They need to have an adult with them but they are allowed to drive it. Maybe next year they can take it alone? That’s all up to Poppy…

I know this was a really heavy photo post and I didn’t wanna forget any of the good pics so I’m gonna make a part one and part two.

I truly hope you all had a fantastic holiday and got to relax and enjoy yourselves as well.

Sending so many hugs to everyone!

Thankful Thursday

Happy day after the 4th yinz!

My brain is fried and I just got into work. I heard fireworks all night last night...I do not feel like I slept at all.  Did you ever feel so discombobulated you can't think?!?!?!  That's where I am at...it's going to be a long day!

I spent the 4th at my parents house on the lake and shared a bed with my two older nieces.  Three of us on the same full bed...sleep much? LOL! I am feeling angry and annoyed today so I thought it is best to turn that around so...

I'm linking up with Rebecca Jo @ Knit By God's Hand for Thankful Thursday.

I am thankful for...

...my adorable nieces and nephews that I love with all of my heart even when they are way too honest! My youngest niece spent the past two days we were together telling me how fat I am. On Tuesday night she explained to me that I was so fat I was sinking a tube and then said it again about three times. On Wednesday, she said it another two times and I finally flipped and yelled at her to stop that it was very rude and impolite! I know I'm fat but I do not need to keep hearing about it from a 7 year old. I know she had no idea how hurtful it was to me but wow! So annoying! Her parents sent her for a timeout and she apologized. UGH! KIDS!!! Maybe now I will take my diet seriously - my doctor would be very happy! LOL

...my little condo! So many people in my area have lost power and have been flooded from these crazy storms we are having in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA. I am on the second floor so flooding is a non-issue for me and we hardly ever lose power in my building. I feel really bad for those affected though! Also, fireworks are visible every year right outside my bedroom window! I watched fireworks and Big Brother at the same time lying in bed! WIN WIN!

...the pontoon parade and family! The lake celebrates the fourth the weekend after so this upcoming weekend will be spent celebrating the fourth. We have a tradition that we participate in the pontoon parade at my parents lake every year. The kids love it and have so much fun picking the theme and decorating the pontoon. This year we are doing a construction theme and it will be epic! Fireworks will be on Saturday night! This was our pontoon last year (we did a tub with bubbles and a shower spout)! Turned out super cute!

...My God and my recovery! Without them I have nothing!!!!

...All of you! I have only been back to blogging for a few weeks now and I realize how much I have missed it! I love reading about all of your lives and getting to share mine with you!

I hope you all have a great day and please know how very much I appreciate each and every one of you!

Anyone else have a way too honest child in your life? Anyone have any weight/diet tricks? Anyone else loving Big Brother?? Who is your fav? I am just so happy that there is something on TV that is not a repeat! HA