HAPPY JULY 4TH!

We had a fabulous time this July 4th. We decided to celebrate July 4th and Ben's 2nd birthday at the same time. We reserved the little BBQ shelter at the park just across the street from where the fireworks display happens. We had prime seats for the fireworks and the kids enjoyed playing in the water/fountains and the playground. The weather was absolutely perfect ~ a nice change from last year when it rained. I think this was the best birthday we could have had for Ben ~ friends, family, playground, water, food, fireworks, new toys, and doughnuts (instead of cake)!!! All his favorite things!!!! I am so happy we could do this for Ben and, since July 4th is my personal all-time favorite holiday, I am happy we were able to celebrate in such a fantastic way! Thanks to my sis, Holly, we have SOOOOO many pictures to share ~ 300 were taken...no joke! Thank you Bergs, Grandma Sunny, Uncle Rich and Anna, Grandma Kathryn, the Heldts (Mike, Rachel, Aubrey, and Ainsley), the Emersons (Terra, Todd, Lauren, and Hailey), the Parentes (Stephany, Madisyn, and MaKayla), and Chris for making it out to share our celebration and for all your help with the BBQ ~ we had such a blast and it was fun to get together. We didn't get pictures of everyone because some of you left before we got the chance...Boo :o( Also, we want to let everyone that couldn't make it know that we were thinking of you and we missed you...we hope you can join us next year!!!

I love my babies! As I tell Cailey...they will always be my "babies"!!!:

Playing in the fountain and stream ~ look how much fun they are having!:

Weeeeee ~ our friend, Hailey:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!! Ben likes doughnuts so much that we decided to get Krispy Kreme instead of a cake ~ Yum!:Grandma K. enjoying herself the best way she knows how :o):
Love you Grandma! Ben was upset that Papop didn't come out with Grandma ~ but, we understand that you needed to stay home...but, we missed you Papop...especially Ben :o\ Random pictures from our fantastic day:

Ben's new tractor from our friends, the Heldts ~ sorry, Mike, he really likes it so you can't have it back!:

Da' Bergs:Stephany, Madisyn, and MaKayla with sparklers: OOOHHH....AHHHHH ~ bring on the fireworks!!!!!:

It doesn't get much cuter than this ~ this is Cailey and Madisyn waiting for the fireworks to start. Cailey and Madisyn have become good friends and I think this picture captures it perfectly. This picture makes me think of years-gone-by ~ when being a little girl in summertime meant no school, carefree days, bare feet in the grass, hanging with your best friends, the smell of sun screen, the refreshing feel of swimming for hours under the hot sun, being able to stay out until just before dark when you could just begin to feel a hot days air turn to a cool summer night on your skin ~ this picture evokes such a warm feeling for me. Thanks, girls!: