Pops concert and Fireworks!

Fourth of July is probably my favorite holiday. I have the best memories of the 4th from my childhood. Watching the fireworks in Washington DC on the steps of the capital, pops concerts at Carney Park in Naples Italy, and numerous celebrations at Air Force Bases all over the world. For such a "small west Texas town" San Angelo does a bang up job on the fourth. The San Angelo symphony puts on a pops concert on the 3rd of July. It is a fabulous celebration drawing crowds of up to 60,000 people. Making it the 3rd largest 4th of July celebration in the state. On the actual 4th of July the city does a fireworks display at lake Nasworthy as well as colts stadium. This year we went to the pops concert with Ryan's sister Amy and her family, a friend of Amy's from nursing school and Russ ... Ryan's boss at Dyncorp who is now officially part of the family as the girls have deemed him "uncle Russ" Here are some of the best pictures from our weekend.

Me, Amy and my nephew Jacob
Amy and two of her three kidos Jacob and Seirra
Lanie bug wearing daddy's goofy hat

My brother in law Eric and my niece Megan
This is the best picture of the girls I have gotten in a long time
Naomi , Jacob, Megan, Sierra, and Jade ( Lanie refused to be in the picture)
Ryan and Lanie
Naomi and I

Ryan, Lanie, and Russ being super silly

More festival pictures

the girls thinking about getting thier faces painted

naomi decided on a horse

lanie got a flower

this is her first time to get her face painted

naomi loved the rabbits they were her favorite
lanie loved the goats!
lanie does not like to bounce she prefers to lay down

naomi loves to jump in the bounce houses

Festival on the Concho 2008

We recently went to the Festival on the Concho River here in town. It has become a family favorite. This year my good friend angela and her daughter lauran joined the girls and I. There are tons of activities for the kids to do at the festival. One of my favorites in the hot air balloon lift that kicks off the weekend event at 7am on Saturday morning. It is amazing to watch the 8-10 balloons fill with hot air and then fly away. After the hot air balloon lift we got breakfast burritos and walked down to the festival. They have a great kids fair with a petting zoo, face paint, carnival booths, jump houses, and all kinds of food, just about everything you can think of. On the way back to the car we found a great spot to take the kids pictures... hope you enjoy!

Lanie watching the balloons fly

the girls: lauran, naomi and lanie


Naomi had so much fun can't you tell
naomi and lauran

Swimming in the front yard

The girls have had a great time swimming this summer. Most days we go to the local pool ... on the days that we don't make it there they love to swim in the front yard.