4th of July Flashback

So my dear friend Kate did a flashback post today of one of her sweet daughters.  Naturally after "Awww-ing" over all the pictures, it made me want to go back and look at Lainey's pictures too.  Seeing as we are in my favorite week of the year where I get a ridiculous amount of pleasure in dressing my child in patriotic wear for an entire week, I figured it was only appropriate that I do a July 4th flashback! 

July 2008

Lainey's first 4th of July

(10 months old)

This 4th of July was extra special for many reasons, the first being that it was Lainey's first!  We also were able to go to Omaha for the 4th, a tradition in my family since we moved from Omaha in 1985.  We would always go back to Omaha every year for the 4th, and this is absolutely why I have such a obsession love for this holiday!  The weekend was filled with family, fireworks, and Ralston's annual parade.  I could write an hour long post about the 4th of July, but I'll spare all the details!  I'll just say that anyone who knows me knows my absolute zest for this day of the year!

July 2009

(22 months old)

This dress was so huge on her!  She is now almost 4 and we are still getting use out of this precious dress/top my mom made!

This was my absolute favorite smocked dress I could find for the 4th...and believe me, I searched for a LONG time!  We have gotten several years out of this dress too, and I keep ordering it every year!

July 2010

(2, almost 3 years old)

Same dress, now as a top

Not really sure what this face is!

July 2011

(3, almost 4 years old)

This is my sweet big girl standing on our fireplace.  I had grand visions of this jumper when I first saw it in the Kelly's Kids catalog this winter.  I wanted to put a massive red "L" on there to go with her red sandals and her big Southern Belle red bow.  Obviously, there is no monogram on it.  People here in the great Midwest do not know what this whole monogramming thing is, nor do they know what a bow larger than like 3 inches looks like, sooooo...no monogram for this jumper!  I'm kind of glad though because I can get more use out of it if I pair it with baby pink or yellow, not just the red.  My husband (one of Dave Ramsey's loyal followers) will be so proud of me!

Anyways!  I cannot believe how much this girl has grown!  I cannot believe that we are about to celebrate her fourth 4th of July!  I cannot believe that she is going to be a big sister, and this time next year we will have a 7 month old!  Crazy!  More to come on this eventful week!