Land that I love.

Our 4th of July weekend was a blast.  We got to spend time with Ben's brother Erik and his gorgeous family from Arizona as well as the rest of the family for a fun filled, sleep deprived action packed days.

Ben and I started our 4th of July festivities with the Vancouver Rodeo!  This was the first time we had ever left Mr. Max for a whole evening with anyone but family.  I asked my good friend Bethany to spend some time with him for us.  She and her kiddos were more than happy to love on our babe, and even though I was a crying wreck, Max didn't mind being away from me and he had a great time! Thank you Bethany.

The Vancouver Rodeo isn't much to write home about, but it was nice spending some time together sans babe.  The highlight of our night was the mutton-busting. We are trying to figure out how to train Oliver to get Max in mutton-busting condition!

On the 4th we met the family in Canby for Canby Days and the Canby Days Parade. Erik and Oliver walked in the parade with the 4H group.  Which apparently is the group who raise live stock.... I guess if our pup is going to act like a sheep for mutton-busting, he better walk in the parade with them!

Ben and I took a page out of Matt and Britt's 4th of July book from last year and bought ourselves some AWESOME and festive shirts for the holiday.  They weren't as great as the sparkly kitty from 2012, but they were close runners up.

That night we did fireworks at Grammy and Papa's before we headed home.  Max liked the bright lights of the fireworks though the flash of the camera might have been making more of an impact for him!  It was a fun first 4th of July with our little man.

 The next day Grammy took the older boys FAST go-kart riding.  Seriously, they were driving really fast.  Indy500 here we come.  Ben is going to make millions!!  These guys had a blast, plus, they had some good looking fans!

As we celebrate the 4th of July each year it's nice to enjoy family and friends, BBQ's and fireworks, but as we enjoyed one another's company we also enjoyed the freedoms of this land that we live.  We are blessed to live the United States, proud to be American, and grateful for those who have fought to make it this way.  Happy 4th of July!