3 Days, 3 Sets of Twins, 3 Pools and a Parade!

What a great 3 day weekend!  We hosted the Cullen's again this year which is quickly becoming the best tradition.  Morgan, Walt, and furry Zola arrived on Saturday right after nap time. They were gracious (and brave) enough to be good sports about accompanying us to a one of the boys friend's birthday party.  I was really excited about the party because I have heard of this little waterpark in Houston called Noah's Ark but we hadn't visited yet.  The party was held there late Saturday afternoon.  It was awesome! The boys loved it.  The water was the perfect temperature and level for them to run around and enjoy.  The slides were a blast.  Beckett loved the mushroom spray and was so so brave running in and out.  Pizza for dinner topped off with a Capri Sun and a stop by Crave for cupcakes and milk.. Perfection!


Noah's Ark





Its take all of us to keep up with Eli!


Sunday morning was go time on our parade decorating.  We relaxed, took an earlier morning walk, worked on our grub, and then headed out to meet the neighbors to glorify our trailer into the BEST 4th of July float this neighborhood has ever seen.  Pools, chairs, umbrellas, garland, flags, bears, candy, and more.  We had so much fun decorating.. wait until you see how we rocked the parade later in the post!


I had lots of twin help


Watching their girlfriends work

Big boys in their new chairs.  Taking it all in.

Hey!  Garland on my foot mom!


The adorable Cullen family!

Raleigh busting out of the new fence to help!
Sunday afternoon (after naps for all!) we headed over to our twin friends The Galloway's pool for an afternoon of swimming and grilling out.  Great times.  I made a new pasta salad which turned out fabulous!  Here is the link Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad - omitted the green chilies and used smoked gouda.  It was yummy.  The hit though I must say was the Smores Bars.  I found the recipe but ended up being too tired to make so Mr. Cullen himself through together this Betty Crocker recipes that really steals the show.  And so easy too!  Make them now. Really. Don't wait on a holiday. Anyway.. the Cullens and Galloways had a great time getting to know each other and another successful pool day down!


feeding each other chips





Feeding the dogs chips




After swimming bath

For daddy too!
Independence Day dawned bright and early at our house.  The boys were up and at it ready to go at 6:00.  The parade line up was at 9:00 so Brad the neighbor, Kara, and their twin girls headed over to pull our trailer into the line up. 




We were all decked out in our holiday finest.  What a blast!  Eli and Beckett are finally at the age to really enjoy it.  Last year they just slept behind their sunglasses!  Ha!  They walked to the parade and loved the firetruck, ambulance, and police car (or whe-a whe-a) as they called it (siren sound). Eli kept walking up to the cute old ladies playing music and dancing.  They told me about Beckett "He's too pretty to be a boy!" I know.. handsome thing :-)  








Our neighbors.. baby Lily's first 4th of July!

Addy and Chloe.. sweetest twin girls!


The women of the float


Cullen family on the float
The plan was for the boys to sit with their twin girlfriends in the pools but apparently no one got their approval.  Eli would not sit at all.  Beckett made it about 1/2 through before he was done with the water.  A great turnout for the parade.  It ends at the clubhouse and popsicles were enjoyed by all.  













Funny story.. Eli found another little girls scooter that he wanted to play with.  He takes it and starts playing.  Well said little girl gets upset and demands it back.  Little's girls mom her apologize but we stepped in and got it back for her.  Um.. can you say Eli tantrum in 100 degree weather on ground?  Yeah.  I took his picture. See said pink scooter in the corner.





After we pulled it together we headed home for a quick lunch and naps.  The afternoon was a blast!  Justin smoked ribs, Brad chicken and Boston butt, everyone brought a dish and we had a huge party over at the twins next door.  The boys love to swim and they tried out swimmies for the first time.  Hit the slide, floats, trampoline, and all their backyard has to offer.  






Loved the ribs


Beckett really loved the ribs

Really really loved the ribs






sprinkler fun with daddy



eating cookie is hard in swimmies



Eli even got in the groove with the music playing.




I have to admit that I was disappointed about no fireworks due to the wildfires and burn bans but after a quiet night of babies sleeping, kids not in the street until late at night, and dogs not scared .. hmm.. not thinking it was such a bad thing!


We are so blessed to have such great friends who are so much like family and community here.  Morgan blogged today that she thought this weekend was like  Doublemint commercial with all our closest friends having twins!  Every day is certainly an adventure.  What an even greater blessing to live in a country where we can celebrate this great nation and enjoy our freedoms.  Thank you to those who have sacrificed and have loved ones that have lost their life so we can enjoy weekends like this.  Hope we have many many more to come.