America's Birthday Weekend

Happy Birthday America! We had a wonderful weekend together as a family and got to spend some great time with friends for birthday celebrations! It was our first weekend where we didn't really have much to do, so Paul and I were really looking forward to just spending some nice quality family time together and enjoy our beautiful island. We spent time on the beach and at our local pool. It was our first time at this pool and let me tell you...Landon LOVED it! There was a water slide, a wa-wa-fall as Landon called it, a turtle that had water coming out of it's mouth and this gigantic umbrella where we set up Elle in the shade. We had a blast and will definitely be visiting there again! On the 3rd the kiddos came down with a little tummy bug, so we decided to be low key on the 4th. We went to watch Cars 2 in the movie theater. It was Landon (and Elle's) first time watching a movie in the theater! He loved it and really enjoyed the movie. Elle actually liked the bright colors too and watched for about 30 minutes, then fell asleep. I think it helped that Landon wasn't feeling his best because he was just lounging on Paul and I, enjoying the movie. That night we had already decided that we would skip the fireworks because both of the kids weren't feeling too great, but as we were putting Landon to bed some fireworks were going off in front of our house at the beach. We were watching them from his window and we decided it would be ok if we walked out to the beach. And we were so glad we did! Landon loved the fireworks and was so amazed at all the brilliant colors! It was a really nice weekend...we love summer time!

At our friends daughters' birthday party on the beach! Elle relaxing..what she does best! :)
Landon is camouflaged in this picture, but he kept coming up to the tent for the vanilla cookies! He loved the fact that he could go up and take as many as he wanted, but eventually we had to put a stop to that!! haha
It was a hawiian theme and there was a pinata! Landon's first time taking a swing at one! Paul was showing him how to hold the bat.
He did pretty well!
This is the birthday girl Kieren! She turned 5 years old...a whole hand! :)
Neat shot of Landon walking up from the ocean.
We all had a lot of fun. There were tons of kids for Landon to play with and a lot of young teenage girls who were all about loving on Elle. So, Paul and I actually got to relax at the beach...nice for a change haha!
Daddy and Landon had fun smashing around with this guy! Kieren's Dad is a Rusty surf rep, so he has a lot of cool toys for the kiddos to play with.
Time for cupcakes! You know Landon was right up front with Kieren!
Once the pinata busted open, we all got to enjoy some candy. It was like an easter egg hunt all over again for Landon! He got to fill up his bag with candy instead of eggs this time! :)
The next day we spent it at the local pool in town. They have an awesome baby pool with this gigantic umbrella that can fit like 10 people under. So, Elle can hang out in the shade while Landon enjoys the water!
The turtle!
Daddy under the "wa-wa-fall" as Landon calls it.
Slippery slide!
Starting to get a bit sleepy...almost time to go.
Getting some shade with my baby girl.
Upside down time! Landon loves to play with Daddy!
Big brother kissing his little sister. Elle loves Landon.
This was Elle's very first 4th of July!
Such a beauty! ...I'm a little biased. ;)
Daddy and Landon hanging out at a friends birthday picnic!
Well, she fell asleep...but was just taking a nap, so she could be wide awake for the fireworks. :)
On our way to the beach to watch the fireworks!! All up and down Fernandina Beach people light off fireworks. On the North end of the island are the downtown FB fireworks and on the South end are The Ritz fireworks. And all in between are just people having fun! It's so much fun to watch!
Sweet Beyah was waiting patiently to go out for a walk to the beach to watch the fireworks.
This is what we have been waiting for! Landon's first year actually watching the fireworks!
He was helping me yell out the colors of the fireworks! He loved the colors, but the sound was a little bit intimidating.
Beautiful!
Not the best picture, but Landon loved these kind! He called them 'poppers' because they made a pop pop sound. It was a beautiful night on the beach watching the fireworks. Next year...on to sparklers!! :)