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Independence Day Throwback Pictures for Fun

Happy, happy Independence Day to all of my American friends today!

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays (I’m really just a big holiday lover in general, but the 4th has always been a particularly happy one!) I love the excuse to wave American flags, grill out with people you enjoy being around, and just generally have a day off to enjoy being an American however you please.

{2008: Panama City Beach trip with my parents and siblings. Jamie and I had been dating for five months, and he was away doing some kind of summer cadet training. I remember missing him so much.}

When I was a kid, I grew up in the very best neighborhood with a zillion kids my age, and for several years in a row there was always a big block party on our cul-de-sac. There were bounce houses, grills that everyone would roll down the street, music, putt-putt golf tournaments, even a horse to ride one year. As a kid, this was Heaven to me. Such a blast.

{2010: We had gotten engaged four days prior and were celebrating in Indianapolis with Jamie’s extended family. Such a fun trip!}

We haven’t created any hard and fast 4th of July memories as a married couple yet simply because every year always looks soooo different for us, but looking back on these throwback pictures, it’s always been such an enjoyable day.

{2011: I attended the infamous parade in Dunwoody, Georgia with some of my amazing sorority sisters/closest friends. Jamie and I were newlyweds, and he was deployed in Afghanistan.}

Today will be low-key for us! My dad and I are running a 5k this morning, and then Jamie spontaneously decided to invite my parents over to grill for lunch and swim. We’ll rest up into the afternoon and then douse ourselves with patience before heading to a big community fireworks display at 9 p.m.

{2012: 4th of July fireworks on the Tennessee River in Clarksville, Tennessee with close Army friends. We were on cloud nine and enjoying the newlywed stage finally!}

We’ve never done the big fireworks thing with the girls before because they’ve been so tiny (plus the fireworks in Kansas didn’t start until 10!), so I am just giddy with excitement to lay on a blanket with my people and see the girls light up with the night sky.

{2014: Hadley was just seven months old! We welcomed Jamie’s parents to our new home in Arizona and had a low-key day grilling out and watching fireworks from our front porch. Sweet memories.}

Ahh, life is good. I live for good, clean fun days like today.

{2015: We had the absolute best day in Wamego, Kansas with my parents who were visiting. I remember that being a really great day; My mom actually still talks about it. Sadie was still a figment of our imagination, but I’d be pregnant with her in just a month!}

If you’re celebrating today, I hope you have a happy, safe day!

{2016: And there she is! What a wild day. It was so hot, but we were so determined to have a great holiday despite being in the throws of chaos with a 2.5 month old baby and 2.5 month old toddler. We watched the parade in Wamego, Kansas and rode a few rides too. It was comedic but enjoyable!}
{2016: This is where I learned to get really good at nursing in public. Holy heck, it was so hot.}
{2017: Last year, we were finishing up our road trip down to Jamie’s parent’s house in Austin. We made a spontaneous detour at Magnolia in Waco, and it was so wonderful!}

… and thanks for humoring these “blast from the past” 4th of July pictures courtesy of a super fast social media search. 😉 xoxoxo

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