Fischer Memories: * Independence Day Weekend 2014 *

Happy 4th of July! We sure do love this holiday! I hope y'all had a great and reflective weekend. I know I was thinking about my Patriot ancestors and all they did for us. I'm extremely proud to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. We had an eventful 4 day weekend filled with friends, food and fun!

We kicked off the weekend on Thursday night with an incredible family Independence Day party at Stonebridge. There were multiple bounce houses, ziplining, amazing food, a DJ, face painting and the best fireworks we have seen up here so far!

1st stops: cotton candy and popcorn!

Which one to do first?

What a brave little girl! She had a very steep climb to get to the top of the ziplining and she had to go all by herself.

Check out our friend's baby. Oh how I miss that!!

Sonoma was determined to get to the top of this huge bounce house to go down the slide. After a brave attempt (with a bee inside next to her!) she had to come back down and promised next year she will make it to the top. It looked scary to me!

Next up: sno-cones!

Firework time! Cora and Sonoma both stayed up and there were NO tears!

So adorable

The next morning we headed downtown on the 4th to the downtown Aurora parade. They have such a great parade every year, but boy is it long! We left an hour and a 45 minutes after it had started and it was still going strong! It's amazing the girls sat still from about 9:15 until 11:45 waiting for and watching the parade. They LOVED it.

Seeing Mickey and Minnie were the highlight of the weekend for Cora!

Saturday was a busy day of party prep for a 4th of July cookout we were hosting with friends.

*I have to give Sonoma credit for picking out their dresses this year. Months ago she found them and was so excited about it! I washed them every day this weekend so they could wear them over and over. I wish they had one in my size!

Dancing during set-up

Picnic with friends!

The grill-master!

My friend Beatrice moved back to Chicago with her family and I haven't seen her in over 5 years! It is so good to have her back home!

My friend Carissa who I cheered with 13 years ago at IU moved to Chicago last month too! It was so fun re-connecting with her! AND, my sorority sister Amy is moving here in a few weeks and she came to the party with her family! I love having my old friends all move to Chicago. SO fun!

A few other random pics from the weekend from iPhones: