4th of July Celebration-Part One

Chad was working the 4th, and since we no longer live close, we weren't able to go see him.  (It's still tricky working around naps and such.)

So......we spent the day having fun!

First, we went to Papa Hoyt's 'garden', even though it's more of a mini farm.  He has everything in it!  I'm putting in a request from Josh to plant watermelon next year.  Josh has wanted to grow watermelon for at least 2 years now.

Of course, we had to stop working to help rescue the lady bugs. 

I'm not sure if in this picture he is waving bye at the lady bugs, or she had help flying....

Then we went to go pick squash.  Yellow squash.  The kind that tastes DEEEE-licious fried.  Of course.

If you look close behind and in front of Josh in the picture above, you'll see the yellow blooms that will eventually in a couple of days turn into squash.  

Um, yes.  We will be back to pick!

Macey didn't do much helping, but a lot of following!!!

Then I lose my helper to something more adventurous, and then I turn around and see this:

Mimi was bent over thinning out the okra plants and Josh decided he wasn't going to pass up a horsey ride. 

And then Macey has been TERRIFIED of bugs lately.  (Add that to the list of thing she's recently  become scared of.)

So, we're trying to show her that not all bugs are mean/gross/scary.  

And since there seem to be a TON of lady bugs, we started there.  Actually, Mimi did.  Lady bugs are her thing.

Notice her arms.  Keepin' 'em back from that icky bug.

Getting closer.......

And then really close!!

And we may just touch it.....but no.  I don't think she ever did.  But good for her!

Then she followed Papa and I over to fence the cucumbers in.  

And Zoey even got to come along!  She never gets to go anywhere very much.  It was cool enough out that she stayed outside with us.  

Look how far she's come.  5 years ago, you would've have NEVER seen this.  

And yet, she gets lovin' anywhere she can now.

Then we went inside for lunch. 

Grandma is such a gracious host.  She had a full-on buffet for the kids and us.  Josh had a  large selection of fruit (with LOTS of extras to take home) and Grandma even made a chicken noodle casserole for Macey.  Macey will scarf that in nothing flat!

It was a great morning!