Wow, am I behind in blogging! I have been really good about loading all of my latest pics to fb, because it is so much quicker. But I definitely want to keep my blog going, as it is a way to preserve our memories through journaling as well. So, here is a peek back at our 4th of July, 3 months later! :)
These pics were taken on July 3rd. (Uncle Eric's 28th bday! He was celebrating at Milwaukee fest. so we didn't get to see him.) We were invited to some friends' house for a cookout, and we were looking patriotic.
My busy, silly boys, ages 15 mos. and 4 years.
At the Walker family cookout. Holden loves seeing his friend, Gabrielle, and lets her do really cool things like dressing him up in a purple butterfly costume. LOL!!
Future blackmail pictures of my cute little butterfly. Daddy was so proud.
Hunter loved climbing in this little chair and watching everyone. 
Thad did sparklers with the kids. They had so much fun with them!
When we got home, Memaw and Aunt Allie came down and helped Holden decorate his riding police car for the neighborhood parade. They did a great job! He was really into it this year and worked diligently with them to add just the right touches.
July 4th, 2011:
Holden Jay-age 4
July 4th, 2011: Hunter James Paul-age 15 mos.
Brothers(Can you see why we call Hunter "the giant baby?" Holden trying to wrangle
him is hilarious. They are almost the same size.)
This has become one of my favorite family pictures! 
Grammy, Papa, and the boys before the parade
Pepaw, Memaw, and the boys
Love this of my dad and Hunter
Great Grandpa Schulz, Daddy, and the boys
And they're off!
Holden was very determined to drive his car in the parade this year all by himself. We didn't send Hunter with him because we feared he'd try to climb out before it was over. He was happy to stay on the sidelines and eat all of the yummy breakfast foods that the neighbors compiled. :) 
Pepaw walked with Holden, and Papa and Hunter joined him at the end.
We actually got a good one of the two of us!
Holden enjoying the festivities. He was thrilled to have his buddy, Hannah, there to hang out with. She is so good to him. This year he loved all of the games and craft activities. He didn't want to miss one single thing-other than breakfast. He would always rather be playing than "wasting time" eating. :)
My little busy-body, Hunter. He LOVED the little wading pool filled with water, and spent much of his time splashing his hands in it. Can't blame him; it was about 90 degrees in the shade. He also of course loved the basketball hoop area (he is obsessed with any type of ball) and unlike his brother, ADORES eating and frequently resembled a chipmunk throughout the morning as he shoveled whole donut holes and mini muffins in his mouth.
Great Grandpa and Daddy helped with the candy toss. Hunter caught on really quickly to this game and plowed right in with the big kids to collect his fair share. Holden is an old pro at this now, but he was a good big brother and made sure Hunter got some, too.
Holden had a blast with the water balloon fights/games. I have decided that 4 is one of my favorite ages. He is so excited about everything, can understand and do so much, and is really growing into his little personality.
I realized looking at this that I repeated some of these pics from earlier, but I am including the collage anyway. I love watching my boys' brother dynamic! I hope that they will always love each other this much. They may drive each other nuts one minute, but the next they are right back together. And Holden can say/do what he wants to his baby brother, but nobody else better mess with him! He is his biggest advocate.
We came back home and cooled off out back. Jay bought the boys this inflateable pool for the summer, and we more than got our money's worth out of it. The dollar store had the foot long squirters and the provided endless entertainment.
After naps for everyone, we got ready for a cookout with our parents, our neighbors, Emma and Charles, and family friends, Cyndee and Dave. The boys enjoyed eating outside and being the center of attention. :) 
Backyard cookout pics
Hunter had us all in stitches with his saggy diaper. I ran out of swim diapers and decided to just put one of his regular Pampers Baby-Dry diapers on him. They boast that a child can go up to 12 hours with no leaks. After a few trips into the pool, his trunks wouldn't even stay up all the way because the diaper was so bulgy. Didn't bother him a bit, nor did it slow him down!
After dinner, my parents joined us in heading to the ISU golf course, our annual fireworks spot. We met up with my good friend, Kara, her hubby and parents, and little Corinne. She and Holden always have a great time together. Gary caught some lightning bugs to show them, they looked at the pond, played with their glow rings/sticks, and just had fun chasing each other around the greens.
My family 
The fireworks started off at dusk, and we were loving them-for about 1 full minute. Hunter had been "oohing" and clapping, and then all of a sudden NOTHING. He kept pointing to the sky and making noises, wondering where the lights went. We found out via the radio and fb (modern technology is amazing!) that they were having technical difficulties. So we waited. And waited. And waited....over a half hour. Just about the time we were ready to leave, they did get them going. Hunter absolutely loved his first fireworks display. I knew he would, as he is obsessed with lights right now. He was truly in awe. Holden enjoyed them until, just like last year, he fell asleep and slept through the LOUD grand finale! I don't know how he sleeps as hard as he does! He was wiped from a full day of activities. 
We had a great July 4th, celebrating our country's birthday!
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