Fantastic 4th of July!

Where do I begin?? What a fun 4th weekend we had! We have over 300 photos to prove it.  I knew this would be a fun 4th for Miss Ava so we snapped, snapped away and capture some precious moments. Don't worry, I haven't included ALL of them in this post.

 The girls going for a walk together :)

Fireworks at UMASS Dartmouth, they were amazing and lasted forever. I wish I could have recorded Ava's commentary throughout. She was so so excited to see the fireworks and kept saying, wow Nana & Vovo..look at that one!

Bright and early the next morning to the Buttonwood park zoo for a very special visit arranged by Bruno. We were able to get into the zoo before it opened to feed the bears & elephants! So fun to have our very own private tour with Dr. Bill.

The bears were caged up when we saw them. We got a chance to enter their exhibit and scatter fruits such as grapes and strawberries throughout for them to find afterwards. It was pretty neat being on the inside of where these bears spend their days.

Here they come! This bear found the grapes. I found it interesting that they are able to eat just the grapes while leaving behind the the stems.

Off to see & feed the elephants~Emily & Ruth! This was quite the experience to have the elephant suck the grapes with his nose and then watch her place it in her mouth to eat.

Of course Miss Ava refused to be in the photo. This is her lastest rebellion, her not wanting to take any pictures yet she loves looking at them.

Our VIP treatment didn't end at the zoo. Right afterward we went for a boat tour in the New Bedford Harbor. Who knew it was so beautiful out there.

Mom & Dad were enjoying themselves :)

 Look out for the waves, they will get you soaked! hahahaha

Then it was off to Summerfest in downtown historic New Bedford for lunch and shopping.

The girls couldn't resist these enormous & colorful lollipops!

Mmmmm.... love these photos!

 Time to cool off with thise hopscotch sprinkler

Bruno was undefeated in bean bag tossing game with Vic and Dad for the longest time. However they did manage to each win a game. Dad was so excited with his victory that he gave everyone a kiss & hug!

 Love these girlies!!

 It wouldn't be the 4th without a New England seafood dinner.

 Just as there was no shortage of food, there was no shortage of goodies either!

The girls helped make all of these.

Mom's new favorite, sand cake with red swedish fish in a beach pail (So fun to make as it was to eat!). Mom enjoyed this so much that she confessed sneaking a taste that night at 1 a.m.! LOL

Patriotic pineapple cupcakes

 White chocolate covered starwberries drizzled with red & blue chocolate.

 Happy 4th of July!!

 We found this chipmunk at Grandma & Grandpa's home. too cute!

 Ava & Isabel enjoying playing outdoors.

Each evening Ava would say, "Mommy I had fun with Abby & Grace"

We hope you all had a blast this 4th.