July 4th Fun

We had a fun 4th of July with friends. The fun began as we traveled to Columbia to visit with Mark and Jessica on Saturday late afternoon. We went to the pool in their subdivision (which has an incredible kids' wading area) and then cooked out at their house. It was pretty low-key, but so much fun to hang out and catch up. Ava Grace always enjoys seeing Uncle Mark and Aunt Jess and loves playing with their dogs, Coach and Boss.

On Sunday, we all headed over to Grammy's and Papa's (Mark's Mom and Dad, Larry and Susie to some of you) to eat, swim, and play with the Bonnette family. It is always a good time to hang out with all of them!! They are such an awesome family! Ava Grace swam all day only stopping to each a hot dog for lunch. The Bonnette's have a sliding board and diving board like we used to love when we were little. Ava Grace had no fear of either as she climbed by herself up the sliding board and came down by herself about 40 times during the day. She also jumped off the diving board to her Daddy. She loves to swim, especially when she has her swimmies on and we don't have to stay right with her. The Bonnette's pulled out a Slip-N-Slide in which the adults (Tim and Mickey) decided they would show the girls how it w

orked. Chloe (Mark's niece) was a little hesitant at first, but Ava Grace decided she could "hang" with the big boys. She walked over to it and dove right on it. She scooted down the slide until she reached the pool at the end. She loved it!! Grammy and Papa gave her a Dora Slip-N-Slide for her birthday so that she could continue to fun at

home. She was excited about that of course!!

We returned to Mark's and Jessica's house that afternoon for a cookout with some other friends. It was a fun evening filled with cornhole (excuse the Gamecock logo for you Tiger fans....can't help it that is Mark's and Jessica's team), ladder golf (again Gamecock stuff), yummy food, and fireworks from the neighbors. Ava Grace had a ball playing the games (her way of course) and watching the fireworks. She commented "how pretty" or "bootiful" after each one. Of course the fun had to end, but we are so thankful to have such wonderful friends that we could spend this time with!!