I shared this on facebook, but I think it's worth repeating because I am just that proud of Max. Justin was having an educational moment with Max while he chomped on his flag pancakes:
Justin: The 4th of July is a special day because it is the birthday of our country. Do you know what country we live in?
Max: Yes! Target.
Sigh.. My child.
And with that, let's move on to some fun pictures! Going back to the month of June...
Abigail got to meet Great Gran!
My Dad left Bel Air United Methodist Church at the end of June and we celebrated his 16 years of ministry with a wonderful dinner and worship service. He gets to go back to his passion which is serving people individually in smaller churches. We were at BAUMC for exactly half of my life! I still remember the day that he told me we were moving from Southern MD to Bel Air, where I was going into my Junior year of high school. I was so devastated and I don't think I talked to him for months. Fast forward 16 years and its proof that God knows what he is doing. It was the best thing for us and so many of my big life choices, including meeting Justin, happened because of that move.
Garon got recognized at the service for all of his contributions to the church- volunteering, doing the church bulletin, cleaning, and working at Manna House! They will miss him!
In other news, Abigail continues to be a cutie patootie...
..Max developed an obsession with tape and on this particular day taped Jackson to the stairs...
..Max continues to crack us up, proudly offering me my essentials oils to "help me feel better" when I said I was too tired to go for a walk HAHA....
.. still loves hangin out with Uncle Matt!
Lots of legos right now.. Jackson is quickly becoming a pro like Max.
AND.... Justin and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary with amazing food and no kids thanks to Meaghan and Ed!
Sarah was in town for a few days and we had all sorts of fun including going to a Touch a Truck event! Here's Max the Fireman :)
No words
Aunt Sarah is so nice- playing in the freezing water!
While Mommy and Abigail relaxed
I taught them to give me foot massages. I should write a parenting book.
Daddy being Daddy!
Bday Celebration with family!
I started walking/jogging again and it feels great. These are usually my exercising buddies : )
Nana and Pop Pop took the boys to the pool :)
Time to celebrate the 4th of July by wearing cute outfits! : )
Look how easy it is to take a good picture of a 3 year old and a 1 year old:
Is this what you mean by "everyone keep your hands to yourself"?
The teenage years:
So close...
And the winner:
My little fire cracker
Such appropriate shirts. Mr Independent getting ready to walk to the parade.
We've gone to the Bel Air Parade for 17 years!
Actually I think I missed a few throughout the years but my parents and Garon have been at every single one.
Thankfully the weather held out and I was able to bring Abigail.
The rain stopped and it was not too hot.
Max waved that flag as hard as he could. Unless he was jumping up and down and clapping.
Waving the flag while jumping is a hard job, but someone's got to do it.
Imitating the marching band by clapping and whistling is a hard job but someone's got to do it! (This video cracks me up for some reason. He did this very seriously anytime a marching band had passed us.)
Waving to the firemen
Look, another firetruck! Sweet!
Max appreciated that many people in the parade waved right at HIM. He's super special.
Jack is always talking about something these days...
Our patriotic family of 5 :)
It was a tiring day...
Max is VERY into "decorating" lately. Anything can be made better with some tape and paper attached to it. We helped Max direct his creativity to his bike in honor of the 4th of july parade. Jackson was not about to be left out of the project.
Abigail waited with bated breath to see the final product.
Ta-Da!
Love her!
And again :)
Max went for a walk down the sidewalk, much to Jackson's joy!
Long weekends are the best! The Falcones came over on Sunday with their twins, Emery and Gavin and the kids ran around the backyard like little hooligans. It was glorious!
Emery jumped right in with Max and and they were both water maniacs. Gavin was a little more hesitant haha... I don't blame him!
"Ok I guess it's a little fun!"
There was a lot of hugging and kissing between these two. Mostly initiated by Jack I think... ; )
Cutie pie!
Max and Jack were in heaven- other kids to play with!
"Look out Mrs. Jenny, I'm coming in for a wet hug!"
Abigail and her Godmother!
Nothing like a good episode of Max and Ruby to calm the kids down while the adults clean up. And by adults I mean mostly Jon and Jenny- they are such good friends!!
So thankful for fun weekends like this!
