fireworks and Kennywood!

This year we were actually home for the 4th of July and so we went downtown to see the fireworks, which is something we haven't done in years! We went to the North Shore, where it was still crowded, but not quite as crowded as the Point, and listened to an Army Band from D.C. The people in front of us actually brought their Cockatoo! He enjoyed some peanuts we had and the girls of course were excited about that. I was amazed the bird didn't try to go anywhere, especially when the fireworks started! We had great seats and the fireworks were especially good this year. I guess it was the first year in like the past 30 that Zambelli didn't do them, but I actually really liked this group! They had an especially cool one that was like a jellyfish and it actually went up and down in the sky! It was very cool! Abigail managed to stay awake the whole time and she actually LOVED her first fireworks! She stared at them mesmerized and then every once in a while, she let out a chuckle I guess b/c she thought they were funny! She was just too cute. She was just so happy the whole time b/c she was doing her 2 favorite things, sitting outside and eating :)

Sunday, we went to Kennywood! It was perfect weather and the girls had a good time as usual. It's kind of funny b/c the pictures I took this year are pretty much the same ones I took last year's, except both girls look so much more grown up, and of course we have one more little girl to take pictures of :)

Here is me and Abby on the carousel! She loved it!


Sammi rode the log jammer with Brandon this year. She was so much more brave than last year and wasn't afraid to ride anything in Kiddie Land, except maybe for the mouse one. She even loved the roller coaster! But, she didn't really like the big drop on the log jammer and was crying when she got off the ride. So, this guy gave her this huge pink frog to make her feel better! She immediately stopped crying! I have no idea what we will do with him!

Cute little Maddie on the train. I just lover her smile!

The girls always have such a good time with Daddy :)

The girls on the motorcycles

Sammi bossing around some kids behind her on the whip!

The swings are always a favorite!

Abby was pretty exhausted after the late fireworks night! She took a couple of naps in the stroller no problem though. And, even though the last time she ate was around 6:00 at Kennywood, she fell asleep on the way home and stayed asleep till 7:30 AM!

One more piece of news.....we found out today that Brandon passed his PE Exam!!! Woo hoo!! That is such a relief and a HUGE blessing! This week we are busy with swimming lessons, a little birthday party for Brandon and Maddie and then we leave for Deep Creek, MD at the end of the week for vacation!