An Early Fourth

With fireworks both tonight and tomorrow night, we started our Fourth of July celebration early, and the girls were decked out in stars for the occasion.






After a big family dinner, we spread out on the beach to enjoy the fireworks.








While Kate stayed close to all of us, Emily had a blast running around the beach with my cousin Kyleigh. I knew these two would make great playmates, I just didn't think it would take three years!




We had brought a flashlight since Emily was worried that we wouldn't be able to see on the beach in the dark, and after the fireworks were finished, Lauren's friend (and another of Emily's new playmates) Meredith suggested a game of catch-the-flashlight. Kate got into it too!




And of course our ocean-loving girls -- all four of them! -- couldn't resist taking a walk down to the water.





It was such a gorgeous night, I don't think anyone wanted it to end!