Independence Day!

In between all of Archie's birthday festivities (posted below), we went to Old Town San Diego for an old fashioned 4th of July party. I really wanted to make it to the parade and we actually managed to get out of the house on time. Well, we got there and the parade consisted of one man on a horse and just anybody else who wanted to be in it. I tried not to be too disappointed about it because the kids didn't notice either way, and they ended up walking in the parade. Then, we just enjoyed a little picnic and watched Mason play some games. That evening we went down to Mission Bay and were able to see 5-6 different fireworks displays. It was a great day spent together!

Meeting the donkeys at Old Town.

The best part of the parade? My boys!

Birthday Boy!

Mason doing the sack race. Okay, I'll be honest, he refused to do it (after the picture was taken). So, I had to do the sack race with the adults since we had already paid for the ticket. I'm too embarrassed to post a pic of that though!

The coolest 3-year-old I know!

Archie's First Birthday!

Archie turned one on the 4th of July! It was kind of stressful for me to have his birthday on the 4th because I was trying to get out of the house to the parade (to be posted later). But, it worked out fine and it was a really fun day. He got to open his presents when he woke up. He didn't really know what was going on and I think Mason was more excited than Archie. Mason immediately started tearing into the presents and we had to explain that they were Archie's. Some of the things he got were: Mr. Potato Head (His favorite. After he opened that one, we could not get him interested in opening the others. And, he still carries the pieces around the house.), a small wading pool, some cars (that Mason helped pick out, of course), and some bath tub stickers (Mason's favorite). After presents, we went to an old fashioned 4th of July party at the park, then came back home and had homemade banana cupcakes (yum!). I can't believe my baby's one! I guess that means it's time for another one...haha! Just kidding!

Pile of Presents

Archie's favorite

Archie has a "helper."

My baby's one!

He didn't really eat it, he just picked it apart.

Mission Bay

We decided to do the traditional 4th of July picnic/bonfire on the 3rd because we figured it would be less crowded. We ended up getting to the beach at around 1 o'clock thinking that we had to reserve a fire pit. Much to our surprise, the beach was pretty much deserted. We were going to try to stay until 9:30 for the fireworks (from Sea World), but the kids got tired, so we hurriedly lit our fire (while it was still daylight) and cooked our hot dogs. It was a really great day and we want to do it again really soon!

Mason is all of a sudden really brave in the water. He was out there without us, playing with some friends he met. One of the older kids started to walk out toward the buoys and Mason started following him. I had to run out there and tell him that was far enough (he was up to his armpits). I guess it's time for some swim lessons!

Racing boats with dad. Max said Mason would pick Max's boat up and throw it back behind him so that his boat would win. He is all of a sudden really competitive.

Archie loves to play in buckets of water!

Enjoying their hot dogs!

My Guys