4th of July

Second only to Thanksgiving, the 4th of July is one of my two favorite holidays. We’ve spent the 4th in the mountains, at the pool, and at the lake, but this year marks the first time I can ever remember spending it at the beach. My sister (Aunta) and her family live down here now so she knows the ins and outs of everything that’s going on. We started our 4th of July celebration at the Southport parade. We had awesome seats right at the beginning of the route. Lucas was in a trance for the whole parade. I honestly don’t think he has ever sat still just watching for so long!

I love pictures of the kids with their little American flags, and I couldn’t pick just one to post so here is one of each of them…

Lucas

Isaac…my little American superhero

Madeline…my sweet princess

Audrey…my little cutie pie

Family shot after the parade…

After the parade, we had lunch on the curb while we waited for the traffic to clear. The kids played on the playground with their dads, the grandparents walked through the arts festival, and Aunta and I just relaxed in the cool breeze at our parade spot on the curb. We eventually packed up and headed out to the beach where the kids played until the tide came in and washed their castle away (our everyday beach routine).

Then it was back to Nana and Boppa’s for a cookout and after dinner bubble play. The little ones took a break in their lounge chairs.

And of course, the took a pre-dark ride on the golf cart. Aren’t these kiddos super cute in their patriotic attire!?

We ended the day taking in the Southport fireworks from the old road under the Oak Island Bridge.

Why sit in traffic driving all the way into Southport, when you can get a view like this? It really doesn’t get any prettier than this!

I must say that 4th of July at the beach has been great. I have totally fallen in love with the small town, laid back atmosphere in Southport. For those of you, who like me can become engulfed in a good Nicholas Sparks’ romance, there were moments during this week that felt like they were straight out of one of his books. (Appropriate I guess seeing as they are filming one of his movies here next week.) I’m just so happy we got to experience the day together with our family.