4th of July Family Fun

This 4th of July was very much anticipated since I haven't seen my nieces since Christmas. Actually I hadn't seen my youngest niece Abigail and Sister-in-law as my brother & niece Grace were able to visit on one of his in town business trips in February. Anyhow it has seemed like forever and we were so anxious to spend time with them. Children grow up so quickly and we definitely saw a big difference in both of them. Grace has grown so much and is super tall. She is an adorable little girl and very smart. I loved our car conversations about how her summer is going and what she plans to do. She has the best memory I have ever seen in a child or adult for that matter. I was amazed to see Miss Abigail talking up a storm. I just loved hearing her little voice and her mannerism of saying things. For example, "no no no", "pretty" "Abby's" etc.

I was able to take a couple of days off work to spend time with everyone. It was great to have time off. I hadn't taken time off since I began working in February so I was due. Unfortunately Vic still had to work during the day but came over in the evenings afterward. We did our best to keep the little ones entertained. We took them to the local zoo, Buttonwood Park.

Fun at the zoo

We also enjoyed a nice lunch at Evelyn's Drive In Restaurant in Rhode Island. Bruno discovered it on the Food Network's show "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives". The seafood was delicious and the view from the outdoor patio by the water was beautiful.

Our days were also spent relaxing in my parents backyard while the girls enjoyed splashing in the pool, playing in the sand box or playing in the kiddie cars.

Love this picture of Abigail, so pretty!

Grace is striking a pose for me ;-P

This year we finally were able to view the UMASS Dartmouth fireworks. I say finally because in previous years the fireworks were either post pone or we just missed it etc. I was a bit concerned as to how the little ones, Ava & Abigail would do with the loudness of the fireworks but luckily they did well. It seemed like they were in awe the whole time.

Oohhh, ahhhh

We enjoyed a 4th of July bar-b-que of our own. The girls chased bubbles and wrote with chalk. Kristen & I made homemade oreos which were very easy to make and very tasty.

Chasing bubbles

Writing with chalk

Homemade oreos - these reminded me of oreo cakesters

Smore time!

Grace could not wait to make smores

Mmm finger licking good!

The girls look adorable in their red, white & blue outfits!

We also visited Cousin Lenny & Cheryl for their 4th cookout. There was more eating and more time cooling off in the pool.

The littles one love cooling off in the pool

Ava snuggled in her towel with Grandpa :)

We loved spending time with our families and catching up. The girls seem like they loved it too.

On Monday, my brother and his family left in the afternoon. Afterward Vic & I headed to his Mom's home to enjoy the pool on this very hot day. Luckily Vic's friends Matt & Amy were able to visit and also Vic's cousins Dave & Colleen & baby Isabel joined us too.

We had such a great time with our families. We hope your holiday had as much sparkle as ours did.