For as long as I can remember my family has celebrated the 4th of July & my birthday all in one. In fact, most years I forget that I was actually born the day after the 4th of July. And since we grew up near the shores of Lake Michigan...we almost always celebrated the 4th with a trip to the beach or watching fireworks at the beach. I honestly believe that you cannot watch fireworks on the 4th without being near a beach...it's just not the same!
After I moved to Grand Rapids & away from my beloved Lake Michigan...we celebrated pretty much every 4th of July at Aunt Joyce & Uncle Jack's condo in Grand Haven with the whole Dykstra family. It became a tradition that I looked forward to every year. Going to the beach, catching up with family, hanging with the cousins, eating lots of good food, walking to the pier, & watching fireworks from their deck. They have a wonderful direct view of the water fountain & fireworks right from the comfort of their deck!
Last year was the first time that we didn't celebrate the 4th of July at Lake Michigan. I have to tell you that it was really hard for me...it honestly wasn't the same not celebrating my birthday & the 4th at the beach!!
So this year we were back to old traditions...with a celebration in Grand Haven! Cayden woke up in the morning so excited that it was the 4th of July(man is he so much like his Mom). He even told Addyson that she could absolutely NOT be tired on the 4th of July!! The kids had so much fun running around with all of the kids. Cayden & Addyson especially loved hanging out with Caleb, Ashley, & Kristin. And Kamryn had such fun taking turns sitting on Kristin & Ashley's laps during fireworks. They got such a kick out of her talking during the fireworks...saying "boom" & "another one" over & over!! Unfortuneately Kamryn spent yet another 4th of July being sick. She did really well throughout the day...but spent a lot of it with her thumb in her mouth to sooth her sore throat. The poor thing has literally been sick for the past month.
All 3 kids made it through to the end of fireworks & all fell asleep around 11:30 in the car on the drive home. Eric & I had quite a trip home. Eric had been awake since 5:30 am that morning because he played golf with all of the neighbor guys...so needless to say he wasn't doing too well on the way home. He literally kept slapping his own face to try to keep himself awake...and clearly I wasn't doing the job by talking either. :) So I volunteered to drive the rest of the way home. Now...to most people this wouldn't be a big deal...but I have absolutely horrible night vision. So here we are on the highway...Eric falling asleep in the passenger seat & me going 45 mph on the highway because I can't see the lines on the road & am convinced that I'm going to drive our family car right off the highway. Not good, folks!
All in all it was a wonderful day of celebration & fun, & we were so glad to be at the beach!!
Our family...this is always a challenge with 3 kids...but not 1/2 bad!
The 3 kids together...such cuties!!
My precious blondie.
