July 4th (Farewell) Party

Whenever we're in town for the 4th of July, we love to have a big party at our house.  We have a great view of the fireworks from our front yard, and the empty lot next door is the perfect spot to set off a few fireworks of our own!  When planning this year's party, though, we had no idea at the time that we would be putting our house on the market the very next day... so what was intended to be our usual July 4th Cookout ended up actually being our last party on Jean Drive.  Who would have thought?!

Uncle Andy, Aunt Beth, Toni, Aidan, Abby, and Kate had arrived that day (thank the Lord, because they were all huge helps in the midst of a whole lot of chaos!), and it was a hot one.  So we set up the pool in the backyard and let them go nuts.

Joergen, Kate, Aidan, Liam, and Toni

I love this next photo-- it's just so... Liam!

Now, Grandpa was also in that pool at one point, but I sadly have no photos to prove it...

We were so excited that GG was able to join us.  This was her first road trip after her hip replacement a few months ago.

Aunt Jayne, GG, Grandpa, Pete, and Aunt Beth

The 4th of July is also Nana's birthday, and we were so happy to be able to be together to celebrate.  Good thing Liam was there to help blow out those candles!

One of our favorite party guests was without a doubt little Ian, Marc and Cathleen's new baby boy.  He is just the cutest little guy!!

Cathleen, baby Ian, Bridget, and Katie

While some folks were content to wait on the deck for fireworks to start...

Jen, Pete, Grandpa, Aunt Beth, Kira, Ed, and Abby

... others decided to take matters into their own hands!

One reason to love the random empty lot behind our house... what's left of the concrete makes a great firework launching pad!

Team Fireworks: Kate, Uncle Andy, Aidan, Liam, Dad, and Toni

Joergen was terrified of those fireworks, more for the sound than the sight of them.  Definitely not a fan of noise, this one!  So I hung with him in quieter quarters inside.

Kira, Me, Joergen

Toddlers, unite!

Kira, Joergen, Julianne, and Marc

Finally, it was time for the (legit) fireworks, and this year's were especially cool in celebration of Upper Merion's Tricentennial.

Marc took this sweet pic from inside our front door (the No Fear Zone for toddler firework viewing!) of Toni and Liam sharing a sparkler outside.

We had so much fun that night and were glad to have one last, fitting "hurrah" in our home.

Early the next morning, the clean-up effort began as our house was officially going on the market that afternoon.  Uncle Andrew grabbed a broom and a shovel and got to work disposing of the evidence from the previous night's festivities :)

The Peoria gang was a HUGE help in getting that house show-ready-- and we can't thank them enough! Looking forward now to our first party in the new house!