fourth of july, 2012

The fourth of july has come and gone. 

We enjoyed our hometown parade,

along with a visit from Grandma,

and spending time with Nonna and Nonno (who for some reason escaped the pictures this year),

in what I consider my true hometown.

We spent time in both because we do not have fireworks in ours,

and it's a MUST in my book!

Always my little model,

Anna loves everything about the fourth of July.

I managed to get a shot of all 3, completely at random,

and a shot of me (we missed Erik, he had to work!)

 and our growing family.

I'd love to freeze each of them in time as they are now...

and if by preserving them in photographs is the closest I'll come,

I'll be glad that I had these moments to look back and treasure.

a quick visit from grandma

Kieran and Anna were especially happy to see Grandma (Papa is on a golf trip with Erik in Oregon). It's been a while, so it was a special treat that Grandma drove all the way from Bakersfield, to spend one night and then go back home the next day!

Playing in the backyard at the water table with little plastic bugs:

Giving each bug a name and following along with the story line:

Being carried by Grandma:

Laughing because she knows she's funny:

"Boys like shooting", Kieran says. "Mommy doesn't like shooting", I reply. "Just pretend shooting", Kieran explains.

Kieran with his "shoot":

Giving Grandma love:

Happy to go down the slide:

I was lazy at the zoo today (that and my camera card is full), so all I got was this one picture of the kids eating the Teddy Grahams that Grandma bought, because I forgot to bring their lunch-oops!

We had a great time, though it was far too short of a weekend! Kieran and Anna are blessed to have grandparents who would drive 4 1/2 hours one way, to spend such a short amount of time with them and then drive another 4 1/2 hours back. It was a quick visit, but worth every minute of love.