Festive Fourth

We always have so much fun on the Fourth of July. We attended the big annual Baird family (my mom's side) party... were we literally party ALL day. And when I say 'big', I mean it. My grandparents had one of the cousins get a count of everyone there. It came to 99. Grandma was determined one person must have been left off, so they recounted... but were so excited when one more person showed up at lunch time to make it an even 100. (I think by the end of the party there were more than that!) It all starts with a flag ceremony and taps (which we missed this year), then a yummy pancake, egg and bacon breakfast, followed by carnival type games and contests (baseball throw, hulla-hooping...) then a water slide and children's parade! Whew! But its not over yet, we have a delicious lunch with lots of desserts, homemade salads, chips, and fried chicken. My cousin Lindsay had a little girl, Molly, on the fourth (just a day after Hannah was born) and they were so nice to include Hannah on a birthday cake they brought! (Thanks guys!) Then of course there is the visiting, catching up, and laughing with all our fun cousins, siblings, grandparents and aunts and uncles. As you can see from the pictures, I have such a wonderful family! I love all the pictures of my brother, Todd, helping his nieces, Lisa, my sister, playing with Hannah, and Dad holding Carter. How lucky am I! Usually the party continues with some volleyball and ultimate frisbee... but we headed out for some much needed naps before the next party! That evening we had a fun bbq with Nic's family. Then got into bed before we even saw any fireworks go off -- We were exhausted!