red, white, and blue giveaway
It's time for the FIRST EVER
GIVEAWAY
Because you have supported our new store so amazingly,
Because it is fun to get free stuff,
And because we love you,
We are having a PATRIOTIC giveaway.
I come from a very patriotic family.
My dad graduated from the Naval Academy.
He served in the Navy until I was two.
I traveled all over with my parents.
I was even born in Japan while my dad was stationed there.
My parents always taught me to appreciate this great country we live in.
They taught me to be proud to be an American.
I have always loved the 4th of July.
So, we have been sewing and sewing all things red, white, and blue.
We are getting ready to stock Cora's for the 4th of July.
This week we are giving away three things:
1. One of these two lovely red, white, and blue Cora dresses (your choice).
2. A red, white, and blue girl's shirt.
3. A flag onesie.
To enter the giveaway, leave us a comment telling us:
1. A 4th of July family tradition
OR
2. Your favorite 4th of July memory
Ok, ladies. I know you all like to win free things. If you have never left a comment before, now is the time! Comments will be accepted from now until Friday at 6pm (central standard time). We will randomly select three comments. Winners will be announced on Monday.
posted by the mcclenahans @ 9:44 PM
512 Comments:
Yay!!!
Adorable things!
Let me start by saying I LOVE YOUR DRESSES!!!! Okay now that that's been said....my favorite 4th of July memory......
In 2007 my husband was sent to Iraq for 6 months, he was a firefighter in the Air Force. Of course he left in May and was gone all summer long. My girls were 2 and 6 months old at the time. Needless to say it was a bit crazy at my house. :) But my husband was able to call on the 4th of July and chat with me and the girls for quite awhile and that made my whole summer!!! To see their faces light up at the sound of his voice was too much. And then to watch the fireworks and spend the day with the rest of my family completed the picture. I was and still am so proud of him for what he did, even though he'll never admit it was a big deal. 4th of July has new meaning for me ever since then. Erin M. (These are the days)
What a great idea! We live in the best country in the world, and it's important to honor the freedoms so many have sacrificed so much for.
Growing up, my neighborhood used to hold a 4th of July parade. Every kid would decorate their bikes with streamers, balloons, noisemakers, flags, and all sorts of other patriotic paraphernalia. Adults would bedeck wagons and strollers for young kids to ride in. Everyone would don their red, white, and blue clothes, and, on the morning of the 4th of July, we would all gather in the neighborhood cul-de-sac to start the parade. A local fire station would send a truck and some firefights to be our grand marshalls, and we would all proudly march the four streets of our neighborhood. Every home would have a small flag by the mailbox, and those older folks that lived in our neighborhood would sit on their porches and wave as the thirty or forty kids and parents would march by. We made a giant loop and ended up back in the cul-de-sac where everyone enjoyed watermelon, lemonade, and hot dogs--an all-American 4th of July meal! we looked forward to the celebration all year!
Jess: you and your sweet Cora continue to be in my heart and prayers every day. We may never meet, but I thank God every day that you're in my life.
Emily M. Prather
Love these they are so cute!!!!! Guess when you put them out there I'm going to have buy two now - one for my granddaughter that just turned one year - and one for the new one that is due any day!
Every year we go to Burlingame KS where my husband's aunt and uncle have a place out in the country. Pretty much all the family is there - and lots of friends too! There's fried chicken, ham and usually barbecued brisket too along with potato salad, cole slaw and lots of other good things! Then when it gets pretty dark we take all the kids outside and with some adult (?) supervision they get to set off fireworks. It's a great time spent with family!
Hugs to you, you're in my thoughts and prayers
How wonderful!
Wonderful family, wonderful memories, WONDERFUL YOU!
I've been trying to purchase one of your dresses for my wee one and am ALWAYS too late! Thanks for the opportunity to win something from Cora's Shop.
We think of you daily,
Denise
I have read your blog for some time now and I have never commented because I just don't have the words. I admire what you have done and I think of you and your beautiful family often.
I love all the dresses you have made, so cute!
My favorite thing about the 4th is that it is my wedding anniversary (well actually on July 3rd). This year we will be celebrating 10 yrs with family, friends and fireworks.
Adorable dresses and shirts!!!
Our family's 4th of July tradition is to get together at one of our houses where everyone brings food to share. We have a big cookout and let the kids run through sprinklers and eat watermelon and popsicles outside. The kids also get to set off small fireworks and then at night all of the "big kids" (the grown men) let off their big fireworks for a great show that is all our own.
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I have never commented on your blog, and I can't believe I am like one of the first ten to do so!!! You can offically say I am a serious prayer warrior of yours:) I think about you daily!!!! Your precious Cora has lit up this world in so many ways ---- I know this 4th of July as I watch fireworks and eat a yummy BBQ with family, I wil be sure to remember ALL of you. Your faith is so amazing and your story has inspired me to live each day differently than I use to. Stay strong--- the Lord will see you through all the craziness you sometimes feel.
These dresses are adorable. My daughter is 12, so she can't wear these, but we have a neighbor across the street that has a newborn baby girl. They just built their house and her husband got laid off. If I win one I'll give it to her.
One of my favorite 4th of July's was when I in elementary school (I'm not sure what year it was) we went to Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. There was a small lake with a bridge that led to a gazebo in the middle of the lake. We sat in the gazebo in the middle of the lake and watched the fireworks shot off from the side of the mountain. It was beautiful! The crisp mountain air and the echo from the fireworks through the mountains was amazing! It was an old time 4th of July with icecream & games. After I got married I found out that my husbands family used to go there for the 4th of July also. We might have met way back and never even knew it! Interesting huh.
First time commenter here. I have followed your blog for awhile and you & your husband are in my prayers almost daily.
I do have a favorite July 4th memory! When my husband and I were dating, he was visiting me at my parents house, and we lit sparklers out on the front lawn as if we were still little kids. We have a great picture of us hugging with our sparklers lit and it is one of my favorite pictures of all time---We were falling in love and it was just such a special time. The picture reminds me of that phase of our relationship and I love it!
So so so cute!
Our tradition is we go to my aunt/uncle's for a family pool party and GREAT food. Then we play outdoor games and then have our own firework display.
Thanks.
Heather in IN
Yea! great dresses!
My husbands family have a bbq every forth. This works great because there are about 5 birthday's in the surrounding weeks. So not only do we celebrate the nations birthday but half the family's birthdays as well. My husband loves it because he always gets fireworks for his birthday!
My Cousin was born on June 29th, My Uncle was born on July 4th, and my Grandfather(Who served in WWII, now deceased) was born on July 7. For as long as I can remember, My whole family got togther every year to celebrate my family members birthdays, and our wonderful Country's Birthday. We would cook out great food, have a ton of Birthday cake, swim all day, and do fireworks at night. After my Grandfather passed away a few years ago, we all scattered, but I will always remember all the great times we had.
I, too, LOVE the Cora dresses! My family's 4th of July tradition is still a tradition in the making. Our neighborhood has a fireworks display and we enjoy the festivities with dear family friends who played an incredible role in forming our family through the miracle of adoption. We can't wait to share the day with our baby girl this year! Our hearts will be with your family and many others that day, as always.
Each year for 4th of July growing up my dad's side of the family would come over for a big picnic. His mother's side is Italian so there is always lots of food and lots of cousins :) At the end of the night my dad, cousin, and uncle would put on a fireworks show they'd prepared to mesh with the music they jammed. It's always a fun time and now I'm happy to share these memories with my children.
I stumbled across your blog right around February. I haven't stopped praying about your family since. Your story has truly touched our family and made us closer to God. Our family structure is closer than ever and I thank you for sharing you story with us. May God Bless You Eternally!! Much Love from our family to yours!
Jill
jilldaugherty03@yahoo.com
Some of my best childhood memories are of the 4th of July. My grandparents took my sister and I to the local carnival by their house for the 4th one year. I was probably 7 years old, my sister 10. My grandpa had what seemed like endless quarters for us to play all of games. We got to that one where you toss rings trying to get them to land over a coin, and then you win that coin. The game was sponsored by the local VFW. Seemed like easy money to me. I had about 10 rings to toss, and not a one landed covering a coin. I had tears in my eyes, and looked up and my grandpa and asked him if VFW stood for VERY FEW WIN...he stood there laughing for so long. I'm 36 now, and he's 82, and I bet not more than a couple of months eve go by without that story being told. :o)
You and Cora look just alike in those pics! How adorable!
About 5 years ago my family began a tradition of a "4th of July cake bake-off". All participants bake and decorate a one-of-a-kind 4th of July festive cake. At our 4th bash we have a big taste test and vote based on looks and taste. Needless to say, we have plenty of dessert (for about a week!) Last year we had 8 entries!
The winner receives not only bragging rights but also a trophy of Uncle Sam they keep in their home for the next year!
It is a fun way to have a little competition and see how creative everyone can get. This last Christmas my mother in law informed me she already had her idea for this year!
Thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration in your walk with God throughout your toughest time.
My favorite 4th of July memory will always be watching fireworks from on top of the elevator at the farm with Chris.
The dresses are so cute Jess!!
Jodi Harder
I grew up in Arizona where fireworks are illegal. I moved to Texas, and imagine my surprise when ordinary citizens were putting up fireworks that looked like the ones our city would do! I guess everything's bigger in Texas.
My most vivid 4th of July memory was shooting off fireworks at my grandparent's house out by Grace Community Church and one of the neighbors accidentally shot into the wheat field across the street and started it on fire. Everybody ran with whatever they had to try to put it out, but it was already too late and even with the fire department's help, the field just had to burn itself out.
What a fun idea Jess!! You ladies make beautiful stuff!
My husband is in the Air Force! We don't have a little girl yet but maybe someday. Until then, I will let my friend borrow the dresses if I win. They are super cute!
What a great idea! The dresses are adorable.
The clothes are so cute... we're big fans of patriotic things too!!
My favorite 4th of July memories are from when I was a little girl and our family (cousins, aunts, uncles, etc) would go up to our grandparents' cottage. We would have the big meal, swim all day long, and then shoot the fireworks off the pier once it got dark. To this day, we tease Uncle Randy about the firecracker that chased him back up the pier. :)
So adorable!
My favorite 4th of July memory is of going to the parades where I grew up, me and my 3 brothers. And of course, eating watermelon, even though I don't like watermelon! But what would the fourth be without watermelon???
:o)
I think there is nothing more spectacular than fireworks. I grew up in Wichita so we had amazing displays every year and it was a really big deal for our family. Now, every time I see fireworks, it makes me homesick for my family and for Kansas.
Our family always gets together for a fun (and HOT) picnic on the 4th. Fun times!
You store is so adorable! I love the giveaway idea. God Bless America!
What beautiful new items!
Nothing is better then the 4th! Food, family, friends, fireworks! Such a wonderful day to celebrate with the ones you love. As a child I can remember praying that it would not rain on the 4th! I grew up in the NW and you never know what you are going to get that day!
Oh, those dresses are the cutest.thing.EVER!
The 4th of July is my favorite holiday of the year because it is the ONE time that my entire family gets together. Since we were little, my aunt and uncle have had a huge backyard BBQ in honor of the 4th. It has evolved SO much over the years. All of us kids have "recruited" our college friends, adult frineds, and more to join in the fun. We are driving in from Kansas, I have college friends from iowa making the trip... one year, my friend from GERMANY even joined us. That's what a great time we have! It's tradition for my mom to make her famous firecracker wings and taco salad every year. We start at 11:00 or so, and easily surpass that 12 hour mark! I am looking forward to seeing everyone is a few weeks! Yeah for the 4th!
Favorite Fourth of July memories are making homemade vanilla ice cream using an old fashioned hand cranked ice cream maker. I was the youngest, so I had to sit on it while my cousins cranked!
lauramlyons@gmail.com
Our family's favorite 4th of July tradition is to invite all of our family & friends over for a simple BBQ & S'mores! We are able to have fireworks in our neighborhood, so once it gets dark, we sit back, relax & watch the beauty of it all! My father spent 20+ years in the Air Force & we definitely don't take our country or our freedom for granted! Thank you!
How Cute!!!
Growing up we were always on the water. My dad had a boat (that he built at Berean, I might add) and every weekend we were at the lake skiing. Fouth of July weekend was always especially fun because that meant fireworks over the lake.
For whatever reason, it doesn't matter how small the fireworks display is, it becomes magical when seen from the middle of a lake in a boat with all the excitement lighting up the sky being mirrored in the water below.
I'm especially excited this year as we will be taking our two girls to Table Rock Lake over the weekend of the 4th. I'm happy to share an experience that I remember and love so much with them.
Inksomnia
Our family tradition on the 4th of July is to eat watermelon and hot dogs and go to a Durham Bulls baseball game and watch the fireworks after. Hope you all are having an awesome week!!!
~Molly P
my favorite 4th of july memory is decorating my bike when i was a kid. we would wrap streamers through the wheels and ride in our local 4th of july parade.
It's so pretty Jess!!!! I'm super patriotic too and I almost screamed with delight when I saw these!!! I'm so proud to be an American in France. Love you!!
Fireworks when I was little! But I was so scared of the loud sound, I had my ears covered the whole time.
I love those dresses. Everything you all make is so beautiful and such a great tribute to your beatuful baby as well as our amazing country. Tell your dad THANKS for his service!
My favorite Fourth memory was when I was young and we had a group of friends and family together to set off fireworks as only can be done out in the country. One of the men had a bit much to drink and thought it would be funny to put a whole string of Black Cats down my dad's pants. Turns out, it wasn't really all that funny once the popping stops.
We always go to the lake on 4th of July and have a big fireworks display! One half of the group says, "Oooh" and the other says, "Awwww." It is a great time!
aahhhh. july 4 celebrations. we lived in the country and all of my mom's family lived in the city, so they would all come to our house for fireworks, food, and fun !! cranking home made ice cream, the boys chasing the girls with sparklers, and the big boys setting the wheat fields on fire !! ooppss, that wasnt a good memory ! but we always had family over and i so miss those days..
thanks for the opportunity to win an adorable dress, for a good friend of mine who lets me play granma to her baby girl..
still praying for your hurting hearts.
jill in wichita
What a great idea!! You are so sweet!!!
Hmmm...it's hard to think of my favorite one, but I think it's just one of my favorite holidays in general because it's warm and you get to be outside and it's one we've always gotten together with family.
I pray for you every day...your Cora is so special.
What beautiful dresses!!
My favorite tradition as a kid was getting together with family for homemade ice cream and cake while watching the local fireworks. Our town was quite small (less than 1000) and my aunt and uncle owned the only fireworks stand in town. So we would usually go to town early and help sell fireworks and whatever didn't sell we would get to shoot off that night.
We usually get together with friends for watch a small nearby parade and then later to watch fireworks.
Adorable giveaways!
My husband and I love to go to the harbor in Salem, MA (winter island) to watch the fireworks. We sit on the docks and have a picnic and can see four different towns do their fireworks at the same time. It's really cool!
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These dresses are adorable. Our 4th of July tradition is a family bbq and fireworks.
Such cute dresses and we pray for every day for your continued strength!
My favorite 4th of July tradition is going to a nearby town for an old fashion celebration. There is a parade and we sit in our families yard to watch it. We have a pot luck and then walk over to the tractor pulls where it isnt rare to find a few people napping because of the "blazing" speed of the tractors. Then we walk to the park for snow cones and kids games. It is so fun, and so simple!
Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays growing up. It is even more so now because my husband graduated from The United States Military Academy at Westpoint and served in the Army for 6 years, so I have an even greater appreciation of those that serve and sacrifice for our country. I grew up in a little town in Texas, called Belton, and we have the largest 4th of July parade in the state. We always started the morning out with a big brunch, followed by the parade. Then my dad would take us swimming, bowling, putt-putting, or to a movie. We would also always go the carnival. Then we would go to a friends house and cook out and shoot off fireworks. I have such happy memories of this holiday, and hope to recreate that for my daughter as well. Happy Fourth of July!!!
How exciting! My little one is a boy, so I'd have to go with the onsie even though I ADORE the dresses!!!!
My parents used to live on an old dairy farm and we would climb to the very top of the silo where we could watch fireworks from every surrounding little town while we shot off our own fireworks and enjoyed some summer snacks from up above the horses and pasture!
My other memory is from when we were childless and my hubby and me used to sit on a hill in the back of his truck and just enjoy each others company while watching the fireworks.
My favorite 4th of July memory was when I was 17 we were able to go to Santa Barbara, which was special since we could never afford that kind of stuff. And the whole beach was covered with people sitting next to each other. When the lights started, I looked around and was amazed that everyone on that beach was all looking up at the same time, and it was so beautiful to see that through all the ugly and differences we can always find a place to come together. Just like we did on Sept. 11, just like we when in the future.
We usually go to the lake for the Holiday weekend, but this year we're heading up North to spend time with my husband's family.
Those dresses are adorable!!!
Last year had to be the best 4th of July thus far. My husband and I bought our house 2 years ago and our city has a big fireworks display which we can see from our house so all the family comes over. We all hang out and have a really good time just enjoying each other's company. Last year was the first with our daughter (she was 2 months old. Even though she fell asleep before the fireworks I held her while they were going off. It was fantastic!
Ashley-TN
Growing up, our 4th of July celebrations were so much fun! Our neighborhood would join together and have a big block party complete with a bicycle parade. My sister and I enjoyed decorating our bikes and riding them up and down the street.
Love your darling dresses!
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
The dresses are absolutely beautiful!!
Our 4th of July tradition growing up was having homemade ice cream and cake while watching the local fireworks. The town we lived in was quite small (less than 1000) and my aunt and uncle owned the only fireworks stand in town. Us kids would usually go to town early to help sell fireworks and then would get to shoot off whatever didn't sell that evening.
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oh my, those are cute cute cute!!! I bought a Cora dress from you a few weeks ago and I can't wait to get another one (if I'm lucky enough).
My favorite childhood July 4th memory is hanging out in our driveway, my mom, dad and brother, and popping firecrackers. Kinda cheesey but it's a memory that sticks with me!
Our family likes to have a cook out and do fire works!
All the dresses are so adorable!
How fun! Our family tradition was to have a cookout and then drive to our local junior college where they had a big fireworks show every year. We would set up chairs and watch the show and it was always a great time with family and friends! Great clothes!
The dresses are so beautiful! We are expecting again and our baby will due in November. Although we don't know what it is yet, Kevin is just absolutely sure it is a girl. :)
My favorite fourth of July memory is going to the lake with my family. We spend the day out on the water (weather permitting) and then have a huge feast of "fourth of Julyish" style food for dinner. Kevin LOVES the fireworks, but they make me really nervous now that there are little ones around. :) Overall, it is a great day to be with family and treasure the blessing of living in this country. :)
Oh Im so excited.
Every year we get together with our closes friends and BBQ and wait for the sun togo down and then we light fireworks for hours.. This is my favorite holiday!
Awww those clothes are soooo adorable. My little Morgan would love to be able to wear one of those this 4th of July in memory of sweet Cora!!
My favorite memory of the 4th is just hanging out with family and going to fireworks. There is a small town next to where I grew up that had the best fireworks, and people would drive far and wide just to see them. My other favorite thing that we used to do was get take out dinner and then go watch the lighted boat parade on the Mississippi River while we ate. Such good family memories!
I have the most awesome 4th Memory for you! We waited so long so so long for our son we had been trying for 4 years and we lost a daughter when I was 18 weeks pregnant. So we didn't think we would ever have more children. Then Nov 2007 I found I was pregnant! Scared is an understatement!! We had so many scares so many times they said our son wasn't going to make it so many times they said the drieded words your losing your baby Melissa but he was tuff and after 3 1/2 months of bed rest I was ready to meet My Rainbow baby My Miracle My Son I begged god to protect him! He was suppose to be born on June 22nd but his lungs weren't ready then again on the 29th and the 3rd I was so scared and disappointed each time. Well my doctor said I am forcing a team to work on the 4th of July you are going to have this little guy! So 4 am and the phone rings Guess who?The hospital saying they have to push my c back to 3!! So I get there at 1 and get prepped and go to the er a little after 3 and it felt like for ever but or Miracle our Rainbow baby Our son was born at 4:03pm July 4th 2008 At a perfect 6 pounds 10oz and 19 inches long At 37.2 weeks(due date was off)healthy and perfect in every way!! We love him so so much and that is the best 4th of July! Thank you!!
I absolutely love the new dresses! I have been trying to get a Cora dress, but they sell out so quickly! Thanks so much for doing a give a way - hopefully I win a dress for my little one!
Everyone says they love 4th of July for the fireworks - but I love it for THE MUSIC!
When I was about 10 years old and until I graduated high school, my family would go to our local outdoor amphitheater on the 4th: we brought picnic lunch and dinner, sat out on the grass while the San Francisco Symphony (and lots of different musical guests) played all day and into the evening. There was always lots of activities - face painting, bubble stations - and we would eat, sing, dance, and play until fireworks at 9. Then we would snuggle in our blankets while the musicians played all the patriotic classics (souza in particular!) while the fireworks went off overhead.
The memory is especially dear to me this year, as my grandmother who created the "tradition" because of her love of patriotic music has been dying a very long, lingering death these past three months. The memories of happy, healthy times makes the process of a rather long and painful passing a little easier, remembering all the family traditions she created for us to carry on for the rest of our lives.
So cute!
My favorite 4th of July tradition/memory were our parties every year. My family lived a few blocks away from the High School and every year we would BBQ, swim and party with our friends and family. Then a few hours before dark, all of us (20+) would walk to the High School stadium, lay out blankets on the field and watch the fireworks show! Now that we're all grown and have families of our own, my husband and I have started block parties on our street with our friends and neighbors! SO FUN!!
Those dresses are SO cute!
On July 4, 2001, my husband and I became officially "together." We tried to get married on our anniversary three years later, but it was a Sunday. In Mexico, they won't marry you on a Sunday, so we got married on July 5, 2004. Every year we celebrate our anniversay July 4th and 5th. :)
we have a block party!
it is so much fun all day long...we party hard into the night. such a bonding time for our neighbors!
these are all so cute! what a great idea jess!
My husband is a cop and so he has to work every 4th of July so we(Me and our 2 children) go to the city he works in and find out where he is stationed at that moment and watch the fireworks with him.That is until he gets called out because someone is acting crazy =)
My favorite 4th of July was several years ago when my parents came to visit. We went to Chicago, saw a cubs game, went to the Taste of Chicago and stayed for the fireworks. It was awesome!
Our 4th of July tradition is going camping and watching the fireworks while sitting around the campfire. It's an awesome time!
I love the patriotic dresses and shirts!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I'm a first time commenter and I love the blog! I found you through another & have been following your journey. I admire your strength & your all are consantly in my prayers.
Your dresses are adorable & plan to purchase some, but would love to win one of these adorable items!!!!
I, too, am a child of a Naval officer. 4th of July has always been important to my family. One of my favorite memories is from when my family was stationed in VA & we spent 4th of July at the National Mall, walking through the monuments as the fireworks went off.
Kelley
What a fabulous idea!!! I love your items and have never been able to get onto Etsy in time to purchase them.
I love these dresses and shirts! So cute. I guess my favorite 4th of July memory is the little parade that always went in front of my grandparents house that we would watch. Thanks for the giveaway!
Too cute! My only girl (that has 3 brothers) loves all things frilly.
My favorite 4th of July memory is coming home the day after, on July 5th 2003 with my new baby girl. She has always been so special but after reading about Cora, my daughter will always hold a special place in my heart. Because of Cora, both my children, get extra hugs and kisses and I thank you ever so much for that. I have a deeper appreciation for my children. Oh, and we like to tell my sweet Antonina that the fireworks are because she was born! Hope this day finds things easier for you. If I win, I'm planning on giving the giveaway to my co-worker who just had found out after years of trying that she's pregnant after a successful IVF procedure...God is so good and I just KNOW she'd appreciate this giveaway...especially since Memorial Day is when she found out she is pregnant!
Fourth of July - one of my favorite holidays! I have been wanting to leave a comment for awhile now - but never have the "right" words. I'm not really posting for the freebie - although I LOVE all your beautiful Cora dresses and such :0)
I live 1,167 miles away from my family - When I started having my own family - it became harder to get home - especially after having triplets. We decided when our boys (the three) were 9 months old - that we were going to make the trip - I needed some of my family time. We drove the 20 hours with four small kids - and had the best time. This year will be our fourth year - of special family fun - and always remembering those who sacrifice sooo much! God bless them!
I continue to lift your family up in prayer!
Adorable! My family always gets together and cooksout at my Grammas house. We usually buy up a bunch of fireworks and put on our own little show there for the kiddos! I just love it when we all get together as we don't enough!
Thanks for the chance to win!
The items are beautiful!!! I hope I can get some of them before they sell out!!! on w/ the memories and traditions...
A tradition we have is attending the parade, it is a GREAT parade w/ lots of candy to collect. I can't say this is my favorite...but it is my most memorable 4th...last year I had my little boy the end of June and was not able to got to our usual parade. My husband decided he would still go and take our little girl...this was an emotional thing b/c she had never wanted to leave w/o me before and she was torn about what to do w/ this parade. She really wanted to go to the parade but felt bad about leaving me. Needless to say we both ended up in tears, but she went to the parade and ended up w/ 80 dum dums! She enjoyed herself and it was milestone in her growing up. Bittersweet.
My favorite 4th memory is going to Myrtle Beach every year with my best friend and her family. Sadly, a few years back my friends dad passed away suddenly. I am so thankful for all the years he took me in as his "adoptive daughter" on those 4th of July trips to the beach!
He helped make so many of my 4th of July memories!
First off your dresses are beautiful!
My favorite tradition would be our July 4th family cookout! It always starts on the 3rd with everyone spending the day on the beach. Then on the 4th we cookout and eat LOTS of food!
My mom used to host a big 4th of July party for her side of the family every year, and one year my great-uncle brought his "lady friend" as we call her who was all decked out in red, white, and blue. It was hysterical! Her outfit was complete with mardi gras type beads, a very ornated hat, and flagish type shirt. I miss those parties and my "aunts" style!-Jennifer
My favorite 4th of July memory centers around the fact that my church's youth choir used to embark on our annual choir tour during that week. My sophomore year of high school, our trip was to Canada, and due to the schedule, we were still in Canada on the 4th. That means no real "celebration". My mom was on the trip with us as a chaperone, and she made us a flag cake with strawberries and blueberries to help make us feel "at home". What a great memory!
Blessings on you,
Mary Beth
My favorite 4th of July memory is spending time with our families. We usually cook out and watch fireworks. And go to the 4th of July parade. What fun! My husband was in the Navy for 5 years. So I want our kids to PROUD to be an American!!!
Love your blog! Prayers and hugs!
Ok-I think my favorite 4th of July memory was about 21 years ago we went to the Celebration at Wichita State University-We went with family-but we also took our 2 children Kristin who was 5 at the time, Benjamin who was 1 1/2 and also with us was my sisters daughter Kristi who was 5 1/2. They had alot of fun with the pre show stuff but then when the show was about to begin my husband put Ben on his shoulders-well-the flyover of the airplanes came, it was the bombers so it was really loud, Ben about strangled Mike, then Kristi ended up hiding under a blanket for the fireworks because then she was scared- the rest of us loved it, made us proud to be Americans and live in a free country and be able to celebrate and worship our God-Thanks to all those who gave their lives for our freedom. I also want to thankyou for the chance at the giveaway-its fun.
Growing up my dad's siblings would chip money together and drive from Iowa to Missouri to buy fireworks. Then on the 4th of July we would go to my grandma's house is a really tiny town (think 3 streets) and grill out. After dark the entire tiny town would gather on my grandma's front yard and watch as my dad and uncles would light the fireworks off across the street at in the baseball field.
In 2002, my bff and I went to Red, White, and Boom in Columbus, OH and we had such a good time. We ate lots of food and the fireworks were amazing!! We don't get to see each other much now since we live in diff states but I enjoy the memories
So excited! I love love love the dresses!! They are always sold out by the time I know more are available. We get together at my in-law's pool every 4th. The kids swim all day, rain or shine, and then we go watch fireworks.
My favorite 4th of July memory is going to the 4th of July parade with my Dad's side of the family in Virginia and then at the end of the night watching the fireworks from the bed of my Dad's pick up truck!
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LOVE all the cute stuff! I have a little girl that is two days older than your sweet Cora and I'm expecting another little girl in October who we are naming after my Aunt who passed of Brain cancer. I've tried and tried to get a dress but I"m always too late.
My husband is active duty Army and we are stationed at Ft. Leavenworth (not too far from you) and are moving this week to Ft. Carson Colorado. He is deploying in July for six months for his third tour.
Every Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July we attend ceremonies and parades, even before we had our little girl. In fact I just did several posts on my own blog about Memorial Day. Anyway, I would be so honored to have my little girl wear one of your dresses or shirts this Fourth of July.
I pray for your family daily.
May God Bless you,
Molly
We attend a church retreat in Canada on the fourth of july each year. It is a wonderful way to renew faith and strength
Great idea and the items are amazing as usual! I also LOVE the 4th it holds special meaning for our family as it is also my sisters birthday. I have many memories as a child going to picnic all day and stay up late to see the fireworks. I think my favorite was last year though. My son was 4 and it was the first year he was REALLY excited for the fireworks he was able to stay awake the whole time and was not scared by the sounds he was just amazed to seee it and he has been asking for the last few months when is July 4th he vividly rememrbs it an is so excited for it again. We have started the same tradition now with our kids we head to the park where they do the fireworks we bring blankets and food and we just enjoy eachothers company and the magic of the day, can't wait!
Just wanted to know you are still in my prayers Always and hope each day is getting a little easier for you.
Summer & Family in California
No matter where we are it's always a family day. As a child I looked forward to July 4th more then anything during the summer. We would swim all day, eat, have some kind of competition (volleyball, badminton, etc)and then finish it all up with fireworks. That's still our tradition today only now we all have our own kiddos and not all of our family is with us, but we always have those awesome memories together.
I left on a service mission for my church for 18 months on July 5th, 2000. That July 4th before I left was a special one because I knew it would be the last time for a while I would be with all of my family. We went to "The Stadium of Fire" which is always a special experience. It is very patriotic and inspiring. I LOVE the 4th of July and I would LOVE to get one of your giveaway items. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I often am in tears when I read your posts. You inspire me.
Let me start by saying, HOW CUTE!!!! Those are adorable!! I guess my favorite thing about July 4th, is just getting together and being w/family.
I really love your new dresses.
This 4th of July is going to be special for us because my husband will be home for it! He is a Marine living at Camp Pendleton preparing to go back to Iraq. In the meantime I hold down the fort with our 3 kids.
Your blog inspired me to start my own. *shameless plug in case you are interested - www.mariasoleil.blogspot.com
How cute...I love them all!
I look foward to the 4th of July every year. It's such a great time to gather with friends and family. I love being outside, grilling out, and of course, the FIREWORKS! July 4th, 2007 happened to be a 4th of July I would never forget....
We are simple people, so I don't have a big extravagant story to tell..but here it is: My favorite 4th of July memory is getting engaged while watching fireworks over the Mississippi River here in Iowa. We were about halfway through the fireworks when my now husband brought out the ring and asked me to marry him. My reply "I think I'm going to throw up!" Romantic, right? haha It was one of the most memorable and best days of my life.
The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays, now not only because of our nation's freedom--but also because it is the anniversary of our engagement!! The 4th will always hold a special place in my heart <3
I, too, come from a military family - my brother is in the Air Force recently deployed to the Middle East for 6-9 months. I was born in Rome, NY while my Dad was stationed there for the Air Force (not nearly as exotic, but still patriotic!) :) My favorite memories of the 4th of July date back to my teen years. My BFF (we go back 20+ years) has a birthday on July 5th so every year I spent the 4th of July weekend with her at her grandparents' house on the beach of Lake Ontario! We'd play in the sun and sand and "boy watch" and then watch nature's fireworks (a.k.a. heat lightening) over the lake at night. It was fabulous! Thinking back to those days makes me feel young again!
As always, you are in my prayers! Your faith and strength have been an inspiration to me!
Yay! Can't wait!
Our family loves the 4th of July! Every year we would always travel to our family's cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin and participate in a small town parade. We always would march in the parade together with, what felt like at the time, a hundred police cars, fire trucks, sirens and all.
Such fun!
Joel and Jess:
If you ever doubt how many lives your families story has touched - just look at all the responses here - and how fast they came in after the original post. I am in awe. God has indeed used Cora's life - and you guys - in a mighty way!
I read your blog and pray for your family and cry with you. I'm so sorry you lost your beautiful Cora. I love what you are doing with the talents the Lord has given you. Cora's dresses are beautiful!
Here's one of my favorite 4th of July memories.
The first summer I was dating my husband, he came up and stayed at my aunt and uncle's house in the same town. We went to watch the fireworks with all my girlfriends and went to a business park near the fairgrounds. We had a great time watching the fireworks and afterwords, we were planning on just hanging out until all the crowds cleared out. Not 5 minutes after the show was done, all of a sudden, we heard cha cha cha and felt a few sprinkles from the sprinklers. In about one second, we were all standing up, everything on our blankets was bundled up and we were out of there. So much for waiting for the crowds.
How wonderful that you are doing something patriotic! I always seem to be a day late on your etsy things, so hopefully I can win one of these GORGEOUS dresses.
I too come from a military family. I was born in the Philippines to an Air Force fighter pilot (dad) and mom. We left Asia, traveled across the US from West Coast to East Coast, hopped another ocean to Germany, and I graduated from an international high school in Belgium in 1997. Being openly proud of our troops and patriotic is one of my "things". My favorite 4th of July thing is something we are doing this year for the first time, and I am so excited to finally be doing it. This 4th of July my mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law, husband 3 year old daughter, and I will be in Washington DC! We are going to spend the day there and see the fireworks from The Mall that evening. What makes it even better...our dear Belgian friends are flying over to the US to spend this day with us! (of course they will be actually spending 2 weeks here, but planned their entire trip around being in DC for the 4th of July). Hopefully THIS will become our tradition, as my brother lives in the DC suburbs.
Your Cora is so beautiful. I followed your blog for a few months before she passed away. Her birthday and mine are both in March. Even my husband, who does not normally read blogs, read yours. We fell in love with her name, and we both said that if our second child is a girl, she will be called Cora.
Cora's playground is such a touching way for people to remember her and a permanent place for her to smile down on. God bless you both....and thank you for sharing your story of your gorgeous little girl.
Oh my goodness. Look at all that red, white and blue yumminess!!! I love all of it! One of our 4th of July traditions is the neighborhood parade. Everyone decorates their bikes, wagons, golf carts,strollers, dogs and wears red, white and blue. We all meet in a cul-de-sac and are led on a march down to the clubhouse by a fire engine and then everyone visits while enjoying frozen treats. It's so fun! This year, I'll be celebrating it in Maine with my husband's entire family. I can't wait.
Such cute things!
My favorite and all time funniest memory was when we took a family vacation to the river and my Dad wanted to show off for all the grandkids and light off some fireworks on the house boat. (which we didn't know were illegal) He started the fireworks off and the platform that he was lighting them on got knocked off and went into the water. They started shooting off in all different directions and into the dry brush causing small little fires. The whole family paniced and began to try to put out all the different fires before it turned into something HUGE. Everyone was screaming and going crazy. My Mom and sister froze and just began to pray. The police showed up on boat and took my Dad on the boat for questioning while all the Grandkids stood and watched and cried afraid Grandpa was heading to jail. Thank God the Police were understanding and let him go. Probably cause they got a good laugh watching the whole thing. That will be a 4th of July I will never forget. My Dad trying to be the nice Grandpa and almost starting a natural wildlife preserve on FIRE. :) We didn't think it was funny at the time but we all get a good laugh about it now.
Those are so stinking adorable!!! Taegan would be the hit of the party in one of those special dresses!!!
We live in Topeka, KS and I was born and raised here. We would always spend the 4th of July with my best friend and her family(which also happened to be my parents best friends). It was such a ball and we would eat and eat and eat and then shoot off fireworks. Nothing really special, just a great night of fun every year.
My other memory is one of when I got super close with my now husband. His family always has their 4th party on the 3rd and I was out there with some other friends. I had met Justin and we were friends, but that night we really clicked and knew that there was something more! It was a night I will never forget and one that we still talk about!!!
Look forward to the drawing:)
Angie
Hi there! Love, Love, Love your dresses. I've been trying to get my hands on one for a while but always miss the chance.
I think of you and sweet Cora often. Thank you for sharing your last post.
Well, Jess, your such an inspiration. I could only wish that I had the relationship with Christ that you and Joel seem to have.
I check up on you often and wasn't going to enter the giveaway, but you see, Kat was born on the 4th of July.
I wanted kids from the moment we said "I do," but Jesse had a plan and it needed to be followed. No kids until we had health insurance, steady jobs, AND a house. We talked about adopting and for some reason we could do that even if the plan hadn't been seen to completion. We went forward with the adoption, but God was telling us it wasn't the right time as classes got moved and canceled and Jesse's father got very sick. I was heart broke when the little girl from daycare that I so wanted as my own was moved and adopted to someone else.
After 3 years of marriage and one year of insurane and steady jobs we welcomed Kathryn Diane to our family, July 4th 2006, exactly one year after buying our first home. Our stuborn beautiful daughter was 2 days early and changed our lives forever. This year she will be three and wants a princess party.
I haven't gotten to watch fireworks in 3 years, but I'm not complaining. After seeing the things you've had to go throught and going through this winter worrying about my heart (have a heart murmur that was/is causing problems) I am so thankful for what I have, for whatever time God allows.
So, I had to enter. Our first mircale was born on the 4th of July and God has also given us another little miracle, 17 months after Kat was born, who was due on Christmas!! We like the holiday thing I guess. Oh, Lili came early on the 15th so no Christmas baby!
Tammie McDonald Maddy
My favorite July 4th memory is July 4th 1997. My husband & I were in Boston for a long weekend away and were able to watch the celebration of our Nation's Independence in a a historical place that had such an impact on getting us where we are today!
We are also a very patriotic family... Lots of military on both sides - every male until our generation, actually!
I absolutely love that first dress! If I had a daughter, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Just last night our neighborhood's newly formed social committee began planning a kids' July 4th bike parade followed by a potluck at our park. Should be a great way to celebrate our nation's independence!
We live in Michigan and every 4th of July we travel to West Virginia (where my MIL was born) to spend a week + in the mountains! We have family come from all over the US and just spend the time enjoying our loved ones. It's so relaxing and wonderful.
Probably my most memorable 4th of July was one that I celebrated away from American soil. I was in Peru as a leader on a high school mission trip. On the 4th, we had an incredibly fun day of celebrating our country, even though we were a long way away from it. We had festive decorations, an afternoon of games and competitions (field-day style), and a cook out with some of the U.S. treats that everybody had been missing. The fireworks at the end of the night were the highlight, though. Peruvian style fireworks are an experience for sure! They built a very large structure that all sorts of different fireworks were shot from. They also had one of the guys on our team put on a "hat" of sorts that looked like an animal and then fireworks exploded off of it while he ran around with it on his head. Being the nurse that I am, I was a little concerned that someone would get hurt, but the only damage done were a few holes burned into his jacket! It was a memorable day for sure.
Love the Cora dresses! I don't have children, but my best friend just had a little girl and I have been trying to buy one for her. It would be even better to win one! I am also a pediatric oncology nurse, so I feel a bit of a special connection to your little girl. I love my job and the fact that I get to love and encourage families like yours through a most difficult time in their lives. Being a believer, I feel like it is a ministry that the Lord has given me, and it is a privilege indeed to be able to lift up my patients to the Great Physician, who is able to do infinitely more than I can offer as a nurse. Love and blessings!
Setting off fireworks with my Dad while growing up. One time we launched a faulty rocket that landed in my neighbor's yard prior to going off. They weren't home, and it set a small fire in their yard when it exploded. I had no idea my Dad could hurdle a 6ft fence until that evening - he hurdled it while my Mom got the hose. Needless to say, he easily put the fire out, covered any evidence with fresh pinestraw and the neighbors never knew a thing...we decided to lay off the fireworks for a little while after that :)
We are also a very patriotic military family! Love all your stuff!
Beautiful Dresses and adorable things!
My favorite July 4th memory occurred when I was about 7. Being the oldest of 11 cousins, I was often trying to get them to do fun crafts, or staging little plays...on this particular fourth of July, I had all my cousins pic up flags and we had our own little parade, singing a "You're a Grand ole Flag." The littlest ones obviously didn't know the words, so they marched saying "Yeah Yeah Yeah it's the fourth of July!" 20 years later, the Aunts and Uncles are STILL talking about it!
I can't wait to see your fourth of July stuff at Cora's! What a beautiful way to honor your beautiful daughter.
You are all often in my thoughts and prayers.
Kate Ross
One 4th of July tradition I have always enjoyed is playing sports in the backyard with our BIG family. We always get together and eat lots of food, play volleyball or baseball in the backyard, eat some more, and watch an awesome fireworks display to close the day out! It's lots of fun. And I'm sooooo PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
Family, Food, and fireworks! This year we are going to a baseball game, that promises to have the biggest firework display ever, with our awesome church family.
Thanks for the opportunity to win such cute items!
What a great giveaway!
Our 4th of July tradition is the beach. We spend every 4th down there, together as a family... all 15 of us. We have so much fun. It is so nice to be able to spend that time together.
4th of July is not something we celebrated in Chile :) That's where I grew up but now that I am married to someone from this country and I live here we do celebrate.
One of our closest friends have a boy that was born on July 4th so every year we go to their house for a birthday/4th of July celebration, it's a cookout, same friends meet every year, there are some people I know I'll only see on this get together is fun and we look forward to play in the pool and have a good time together.
Love the dresses and how you are using your talents :)
My dad would always give me a $100 bill. I felt rich! And he let me spend every penny of it on fireworks, which bought a lot back in the day. I loved setting off fireworks as a kid!
And oh my gosh, Cora looks just like you!
The 4th of July outfits are darling!!! I too love the 4th of July - my favorite Holiday!!!
We live away from our family so every 4th of July we travel to Nebraska to see them. They live at the lake and we make the most of it! The entire lake participates in our firework celebration. It starts early with an annual reveal of the t-shirts that have been made just for this occasion (everyone wears one!!!) Then it is off to the annual volleyball game "grown-ups against the kids" (somehow the grownups forget how to count every year:-), then it moves to a few boat rides and skiing while one of the residents serves hotdogs via boat. He cooks the hotdogs rolls them in foil and throws them from his boat for everyone to enjoy - the kids love them!!!!!! Finally the evening culminates with food - lots of it and an amazing fireworks display. The platform that the fireworks are launched from is hand painted by the kids with a large American flag and it has a flag erected on it. They float it in front of the cabin and while all of the kids sit with glow necklaces and glow suckers the older kids and parents launch the fireworks. It is such and amazing day of fun, friendship,and love.
Happy 4th of July!!!!! and May God Bless America!!!!!
Love the dresses they are just beautiful!!
My family tradition is to go to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD (with my Grandparents who still live in Annapolis). We go out to the big rocks right by the water and the fire works are so close to that you can feel the boom from each fire work. It's amazing!! So beautiful and even more amazing being right there where so many people graduate from the academy to then serve our Country. My Grandfather is actually a retired Master Chief from the Navy. He has a million hats that he wears that says that and you should see the recognition he gets, it's so fun to watch and see how respectful people are to him.
My favorite memory would have to be when we took my son who was two at the time to the same spot I'd always gone growing up to see fire works (read above) and to see the enjoyment and surprise on his face for seeing up close fireworks in the sky for the first time and enjoying them. I'll never forget that!
Thank you for sharing your story with us, and for being so honest about what you are going through! You are all in my prayers.
My birthday is July 3rd so growing up, each year we'd celebrate Independence Day and my birthday at my aunt's house. We'd swim, pick fresh apricots and have homemade ice cream. Then we'd enjoy the fireworks!
Thank you for your generous giveaway. Your dresses are darling!
Cute! I check your blog daily and am never fast enough to buy a dress so I'd love to get one for my daughter, in memory of Miss Cora!
My favorite 4th of July memories are of lighting those worm things and throwing poppers with my cousins in small town America. I also remember one year, as a small child, my parents taking us to a golf course to watch the fireworks. I could see the reflection of them in the water and I remember being amazed by the short, perfect grass.
We used to go to Old Navy and get $5 flag tees every year to wear on the 4th of July! Then we would go watch fireworks by the lake, if it didn't rain. Good times!
My favorite 4th of July memory is being on my honeymoon in the Blue Ridge mountains. We went to the local fireworks show. It was amazing! Best of all, I was snuggled up to my husband with a world of possibilities before us!
1. My aunt throws a potluck/party every year and we play volleyball and other yard games until fireworks begin.
2. Fourth of July in Florida as a little girl. We watched the fireworks from the beach. Seeing fireworks over water is amazing, and the pretty boats against the lit up sky are even more amazing!
My favorite 4th of July memories are cookouts and watching the fireworks in Redbud park!
Your dresses are so cute.
1st time commentor, long time reader. I think and pray for you and your family often!
We also LOVE your dresses! We have purchased a few through other Etsy vendors, as we are never quick enough to get to your postings!
Our 4th of July family tradition...
Every year for the 4th of July, since I have met my husband 6 years ago, we go to Cape Cod. He is from the area and we love going to the ocean. Well, luckily for us, our families have always gotten along, so for the last 4 years, my whole family and my husbands whole family all go to Cape Cod and we have the battle of the "hometowns". I am from Ohio, and we think we have the best food, so we bring ribs (from Montgomery Inn) and yummy corn on the cobb. My husbands family also thinks they are the land of the best food and they make a lobster bake and we all dig in and enjoy the goodies with friends and family and tell hometown stories. We then head down to the harbor to watch the Fireworks together!
This year is the first year that we will be bringing our daughter Avery and introducing her to Cape Cod and all of our family traditions that we share!
You, your husband, and Cora are always in our thoughts and prayers. Your strength is amazing and I love what you have done with the playground and all of your etsy makes!
your dresses are adorable... i have so enjoyed following your story from afar. such an inspiration in the midst of difficulty that i cannot even fathom. thanks for sharing your life and your adorable dresses with us all!
My husband's birthday is the 4th of July, so the holiday is always extra special. Last year, we took our then-6mo. old swimming in a lake for the first time AND she crawled for the first time. On her Daddy's birthday! It's a 4th of July I'll never forget.
Our July4th tradition is to head off to the beach and watch these amazing fireworks. We hang out there all day with friends and family grilling and swimming. Its a blast!!
Your whole family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. I stumbled upon your site accidentally and couldnt stop reading about your precious sweet daughter. I cried and cried then hugged my 8mo as tight as I could. Life is so very precious and it cant be taken for granted. Hopefully Ill catch your store with some dresses in it so I can actually purchase one! They sell out so quickly! WTG! :)
God Bless!
I love everything in this giveaway!! My favorite thing about 4 th of july is the food. I love deviled eggs, cookouts, and apple pie! Making me hungry just thinking about it! I love our country and those who fight for our freedoms as well.
My family grew up in Florida and every summer we would go see the fireworks at the coast in this little town called Cedar Key. Fireworks over the ocean was the most amazing thing to me. I loved it and it has become one of my favorite memories.
sA 4th of July family tradition for our family is a huge BBQ with all our family. Like you, our family is very tight knit and the MOST IMPORTANT in our lives.
So 4th of July is a time to gather in support of each other, our community and our freedom. We love to set of fireworks and JUST BE TOGETHER.
I love your handy work and hope I am lucky enough to win one of the beautiful dresses.
Thanks for reading!!
Stephanie
Our tradition is simple but I love it. We always have a big cookout with family and friends and then we all watch fireworks together. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Love a good contest! My favorite 4th memory is heading over to a family friend's house in Glenview every year. Have great food and then head over to the local park for an amazing firework show to a live orchestra. The host would always pack us kids fun goody bags, glow necklaces included! She has since passed away suddenly from a heart attack, so I sure miss her and those great memories! : )
The Fourth of July to me always has been a special day. We celebrate as a family. That day everyone is together to remember all of those who have worked so for our Freedom. Now that I have children we continue the tradition. We eat, play and watch the fireworks together. My daughter said just yesterday that the 4th of July is her favorite holiday. Why? Because everyone sings "I am Proud to be an American" My husband was in the Army for 4 years, discharged for medical reasons, he would have been a lifer if not. Both of my nephews are currently serving. Mike is Afghanistan and Jimmy is just finishing basic training. God Bless!
oh, i am lovin' those dresses!!!
i think my favorite 4th memory was the first i spent with my husband, 10 years ago! nothing really unique or amazing about it, except i'm just a major romantic and i loved laying there beside him on our blanket, in the high school field with 90% of the rest of the townsfolk watching the fireworks as they lit up the warm july night sky...
Seems like our 4th is always spent on the farm... WHEAT HARVEST is usually in full swing so my in-laws usually come up to help and we grill out. There is nothing like that day. Then we usually head in town (with or without daddy-depending on whether he is done cutting or not) to watch fireworks! We usually stay in the care since I have 6 little ones ;) HUGS!
I, too, just love your dresses and especially love buying things that are for a wonderful cause.
My favorite 4th of July memory was watching fireworks on our front lawn with all of our family and friends. We lived in a small town on the Mississippi River and our house was across the street from the river where they would set off the fireworks so our front lawn was the perfect place to enjoy the show!
Your dresses are adorable!!
I have a ton of excellant 4th of July memories but I'd have to say I just love hanging out with family & celebrating the 4th.
That is so neat that you were born in Japan!
I guess my favorite 4th of July memory would have to be in 1994. It was the very last one I had with my uncle who passed away 4 days later at just 24 years old. I just remember his laugh and how much fun we had watching the fireworks that year and I was so lucky to have been there with him.
i got engaged on the 4th of July, so that is my best memory!!
My nephew loves fireworks. A couple years ago when he was two he said he could hardly wait for night time when we were going to go work the fire. :)
My nephew graduated from the Naval academy two years ago! Go Navy!!
I would also like to say that you are in my prayers =)
My favorite 4th of July memory? My husband and I found out that we were expecting on the 3rd of July. We went over to my mom's house for a cookout on the 4th and surprised her with the news by handing her a stack of photos, with a photo of the positive pregnancy test mixed in. When she got to that photo she flipped out! She was SO excited. We were definitely celebrating that year :)
My favorite 4th of July memory is from 2006. My husband had finished up his 6 year requirement with the US Army a year earlier and he was going to college (actually still is!). We went to Wichita to be with family for the weekend. On the spur of the moment we decided to go to a Wranglers game (baseball for those that are not from Kansas). When we got there we noticed a UH60 Black hawk in the parking lot(hard not to notice). My husband was with a medivac unit in the Army which uses Blackhawks. So, since we were familiar with them we went over to see who was there that day. It was actually the National Guard Unit out of Topeka/Salina. We currently live in Salina where he is attending school. On a side note, when my wonderful hubby decided to get out of the army and go to school I knew deep down it would not be forever. I knew that day he would probably sign up for the guard so he could work with his first love again--helicopters. During half time that night the black hawk was part of the program and landed on the field. It was amazing to see his face light up! We were all pretty emotional, as we had just finished 4 tough years of many months of separation due to the war. This was his first 4th of July in the US with us in several years. By October of that year (4 months later) he had joined the guard unit we met that memorable 4th of July.
The year that my husband came home from being in Iraq for a year.
You guys are so inspiring and I think about your family often. Our favorite tradition so far is going to the top of our parking deck in Birmingham, AL and watching the fireworks show from the top of the mountain!
Wow...love giveaways!! Thanks so much!!!
My favorite childhood memory is by far driving to the mall parking lot and watching the fireworks on July 4th...we never had a lot of money growing up so these were the kind of things we had to do...and now I look back and realize what an awesome tradition it was!! I plan to keep this tradition with my kids!!
What a great give away!! Thanks,
Our typical tradition, pre-kids, was always to go watch the fireworks over the lake with my 2 sisters and brother and their spouses. However, now that we have little munchkins to go with us now--the crowds have gotten too much to handle--so we always have a cook out with the entire family and let the kids roam at their will. I enjoy all the new changes and transitions that we undergo with all the added neices and nephews, and thank God that we have such a large family to enjoy every year at our July 4th celebrations.
It is a tradition at our house to have a picnic outdoors on the 4th. We serve charcoal grilled hamburgers and homemade ice cream to our entire extended family. Then we grab lawn chairs and get ready for a fireworks display. It's the most fun we have all summer!
Oh how adorable. I truly truly look up to you guys and your faith in our Holy Father that we serve.
My fourth of july memory is one of the last memories made with my 16 month old daughter Bethanie. We always go camping at the lake, and it was her first time to go!! I was so excited for her to go and continue the tradition that had been passed on since I was a kid. She was our only child and the only grandchild and I knew that my parents would enjoy spending the time with her. She was able to see her first set of fireworks, and go to her first 4th of July picnic. This was my daughter's last 4th of July as she passed away 17 days later, unexpectedly in an accident. Every July 4th we honor her at our family camping trip and remember the memories that we have of her that special year.
Wow, cute stuff! My favorite fourth of July tradition is probably not unique, but my husband and I have yet to go to the trouble to make homemade ice-cream. I love the sound of my parent's old ice-cream maker, my dad yelling that he needs salt for the ice and the kids all gathering around with a spoon when it has been called officially done. Everyone loves it fresh - I love it the NEXT day. Either way, it's something I associate with the 4th of July.
God Bless America and everyone that fights for our freedom!
Every time you upload to Etsy my google reader notifities me, albeit a little late! I'm watching for some burp clothes for a baby gift, but I'm excited for a chance to win something from Cora's shop for my little girl!
Our family traditions on the 4th of July are very basic but include all the best things...Family, burgers on the grill, family, watermelon, family, fireworks, family, fun on the slip'n'slide, family...Like I said, all the best things!
You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Much love from this mommy's heart to your mommy's heart.
Cute, Cute, Cute!
My favorite 4th memories are all the same, involving family and friends having a bbq/cookout, kids running around through sprinklers, "flag" cake, and of course, fireworks! Makes me happy just thinking about it!
Jess,
You don't know me but I have been following your blog. You story has touched my life and little COra was so sweet. I have tried every time to buy a Cora dress for my 2 year old little girl and every time they are sold out!! Which is a good thing. I love the Fourth of July. I am from Alaska and it is day light all the time then and we would have a neighborhood BBQ and play all night. Baseball, water balloon fights. It was so much fun. I know live in Alabama and miss those times with my family as they are still in Alaska.Your family is always in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
I don't have any little ones right now to wear the clothes but I can't resist sharing.
4th of July is my absolute FAVORITE holiday. I love Summer, BBQ, Fireworks and the USA. My husband and I have known eachother since we were 12 but starting dating on July 4th, 1990. Then we got married on 4th of July weekend 1995. I always deck my kids out in the cutest 4th of July outfits I can find (usually Gymboree) and we spend the day at our community parade and picnic. The fireworks are my absolute favorite. When my kids were little, they were scared. I'll always remember holding their ears so that they could enjoy the visual without the scary sounds. Last year I didn't enjoy the holiday. I was mourning the loss of my son. It was a miserable day watching everyone celebrate when our hearts were broken.
This year, I can't wait. I already have my kids outfits and I'm planing on hosting my very first party since Nate's death last March. It's going to be a very healing day for me. I'm looking forward to it.
Still hoping that we can connect.
Trisha
Oh, how awesome of you to do a giveaway. All of the prizes are awesome! Can you momma give a sewing class? I would attend! I am inheriting my husband's grandma's sewing machine! (Also, I've been praying for you all; Julie J. is a dear friend of mine!)
My favorite 4th of July memory involves my 2 sisters...we loved smoke bombs & would run through them, pretending to be the Wicked Witch of the West! I did it again for "old times' sake" in 2003, and a piece of the bomb landed on my arm. I had to cover the scar on my wedding day, 16 days later!
I just love the dresses that you all make!!
My family and I spend every 4th of July in the Florida Keys. We spend all day fishing and snorkeling. In the afternoon we take all of the kids to the sandbar and let them run and play. We grill fish for dinner and stand out on the deck watching the fireworks (reflecting off the ocean) all around us from the different hotels. It is always a perfect day!
I must say...I've never won a thing before in my life, so I thought I'd give this a chance! I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July dresses!!
My fondest memories as a child are going with my parents to pick out the fireworks. I was always so excited to get the snaps and sparklers! I also loved making a mess with the black snakes with my brothers! We would participate in the towns activities (going to the parade and water fights and such) and then bbq with friends. We always ended the night by lighting off the fireworks.
I'm so proud to say that I have passed some of these memories on to my own children. They love to go and pick out snaps and sparklers and love going to the parades! We have started a tradition of bbqing with friends and lighting fireworks as well! I love watching their faces as the fireworks go up in the air. I just hope that I'm giving them the same fond memories that my parents gave to me!
Thank you for this great opportunity!!
Still praying for your family in Nebraska...
Sarah
Your dresses are AMAZING! My prayers are with your sweet family.
My favorite tradition is we always go to the 4th of July parade and stand up for the flag it makes me so proud to be an American and have others who fight so we can be free! I love a parade!
Oh my goodness.....I LOVE those dresses. I have always loved being an AMERICAN! My granddad and my husband both served in the military. Our family is always supportive of the military and we attend rallies to support our troops! God bless America!
My favorite 4th of July memory is watching fireworks and having a cookout with family and friends.
Continuing to keep you in my prayers. Love and prayers!
Marsha in VA
Oh wow! What adorable clothing...I would love to win that darling dress for my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter...SOOO CUTE!
Growing up we had a big ole 4th of July picnic at the lake and then we would go to a reservation about 20 miles away and have the best time watching the Pow Wow and the fancy clothing they wore and the dancing they could do~~It was fantastic. Also, my mother was SO very patriotic, growing up whenever THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER came on we were all required to stand with our hand over our heart till it was finished. Till the day my mother passed away she was so very patriotic, in fact at her funeral her grandchildren, who number 28 sang "Proud to be an American". It was wonderful. I love our Country and am so proud also to be an american as we all should be. Thanks for the contest, I believe this is the first I have ever signed your comments section.
I love your cute dresses!
My favorite memory is from when I was little. My family lived in a cul de sac where all the neighbors would all sit out & we'd set off fireworks. It was a special time of year for all the neighbors to get together.
Jess, I'm Andi Sands best friend from Seattle - I've been updated on your story from the beginning - I have constantly been praying for you!
This year we will be welcoming my husband home from a 4 month deployment, it's a perfect day to celebrate their homecoming and their service! And my 2 year old is so excited to watch the pops (fireworks) with her Daddy.
I absolutley love the dresses. My daughters would love it!
4th of July has always been a family holiday. We have a family reunion with fireworks and everything. This is why my husband and I got married on July 5th. We turned the family reunion into our rehearsal dinner, a barbeque on the family farm.
So the 4th is a very special holiday for our family. It will different this year without my brother, who is now in the marines and is stationed in Japan.
Forgot to leave my name for the above comment Kendra - kksco@yahoo.com
Oh. My. Goodness. This is the cutest stuff ever. Really. I thought you really outdid yourselves with the H.B. Pop Garden fabric (a favorite!), but this stuff is just adorable. My birthday is the 4th, so needless to say, it has always been my favorite holiday :).
It was so good to read your update below. I know it's hard to write, and be really honest about your feelings, but I wonder all the time about how you are really doing. When people say you're doing great, it's because you are living and breathing, and for those of us who haven't been through it, we wonder how you can continue doing those things after such a tragedy. You are still in my daily prayers, and I know that it is only by the grace of God that you will make it through.
What a great idea!
While growing we used to always spend the 4th of July with my moms entire family. During the day time we would have a picnic and then at night we would all travel downtown and watch the fireworks together. Great family memories!
Those dresses are adorable! You have such an eye for what looks nice together.
Favorite July 4 memory - I was in Atlanta on vacation with my family, and we were watching a 4th of July parade. Near the beginning of the parade, there were about 25 people carrying this massive American flag. When they went by, the wind caught the flag and blew it upwards, and I was sitting on the curb, and I looked up and all I could see were the stars and stripes with the sun shining through. It was so beautiful and it reminded me of what our celebration was all about.
My favorite 4th of July moment happened on July 4th, 2006. That was the day my beautiful baby girl, Ella was born.
Melissa (from Canada)
That photo of you on your daddy's back is priceless. :)
first off...i love all your stuff. please keep making them! i swear working with your hands helps to heal your hearts! :)
and secondly, my favorite 4th of july tradition is homemade icecream and watching fireworks in our jammies. THE BEST!
much love, from the jupins!
I love your dresses! I want a Cora dress so badly and they always sell so quickly I've never been able to buy one.
So far, my favorite 4th of July memory is pretty simple. We were at Myrtle Beach and my now 9 year old was 4 at the time and had never really experienced fireworks and the smile on her face went all the way to her eyes. You could see the reflection of the fireworks there and it was such a beautiful moment.
God Bless, Jess!
So adorable dresses, and I love the pics you posted of your family. Hmm...when I younger and lived at home my parents worked for a firework company so on the forth they would hold a huge party for the whole subdivsion and let of fireworks....the real deal fireworks and my Dad allowed me to let off some of them. Being right in the action was amazing.
Now we have a 8 month old daughter and it will be her first 4th of July so it is time for us to start some traditions of our own...I think fireworks may freak her out at this point so we will do those when she is older, right now I am thinking just family,fun and food.
I have bought 2 of your burpy clothes and they have been put to good use - pucked on many a time! :o)
My favorite 4th of July memory/tradition is going to Kansas to my in-laws house(we live in Texas), cooking out, making home made ice cream and watching fireworks with the whole family.
Thanks for continuing to bless me by your amazing strength and faith in our Lord. Still thinking about and praying for you everyday!
Favorite tradition: sitting in the church parking lot with my husband, watching the fireworks being shot off at the lake across the street.
Super cute stuff!!!
Wow...what cute dresses! To pick just one 4th of July memory was really tough! My birthday is on July 1st so it always seems like the birthday festivities trickle into the 4th! LUCKY ME!
My most favorite 4th of July memory actually just took place last year. We were in the process of moving to Colorado and we had always heard that Estes Park had a fabulous 4th of July fesival. We had really never brought the kids to Estes Park (they were 20 months and 6 at the time) so we decided to give it a shot! All I have to say is wow! So many people celebrating the fact that we live in a free nation! That evening we took the kids to the fire work show on Lake Estes. As I gazed at the fireworks being lit up, it would brighten up the mountains in a way that I could not describe in words. Mountains to me are such a majestic thing anyways, but to see them in this kind of light, was even better. I always would tell my 6 year old that God carved each and every mountain by hand so that we could know how majectic He is! Kaitlyn looked at me that evening while the fire works were still going off and said, "Mom, God is shining his light down off that mountain!" Wow, what a comment by a 6 year old. I think that fireworks are representing God's magnificant light in each of our hearts and the mountains are a symbol that helps me realize that we are not grand, but our majestic God is grand enough to put such beauty in our lives! The 4th of July is such a patriotic day in each of our lives that would not be possible without the freedom we first recieved from our Father suffering on the cross for our sins!
My favorite 4th of July memory was last year. We spent it with lots of wonderful people from our church. My daughter really enjoyed swimming with her friends and eating lots of ice cream and watermelon. I can't wait for this year!
You make ADORABLE clothes. If my hubby was employed I'd be buying things like crazy! :) I've been following your blog & praying for you since my friend Andrea shared your story w/me! May you continue to feel the peace and strength that only the Lord can provide in times like this! Thanks, Michelle
(sunkistmas [at] gmail [dot] com
July 4th, 2002 was the day before my son was born and it was a day that I was so completely scared, nervous and every emotion running through me. My family and I built a big fire and roasted marshmallows and hot dogs. So now every year we do the same thing to not only celebrate the fourth of July but my son's birthday!! My little girl's birthday is July 17th so she thinks its her party also!!
Also, this is a great idea!!
So cute!!
We love taking our 3 kiddos to the town park for the bike parade (they decorate them and then ride around the track!) followed by watching the fireworks at night!
My daughter was born the night before Cora...we think of you guys every time she wears her Cora dress!
Oh my gosh those are precious!! I want to enter to win. Everytime I try and get something from the store it's gone already. :( I'm not fast enough. Every 4th of July we (my family and extended family and friends) head to the lake to enjoy it. We watch fireworks on the water and cookout. I love it!!
Morgan
I have been reading your blog for some time and I think of you often :)
That being said - I love these dresses and I hope that if I don't win one I can get my little fingers on these hot numbers.
My husband and I are both from Canada and have been living in the US for 5 years. So the 4th of July has been something newer for us. We have some friends who live on a lake and we typically go to their home for a bbq and then go out in the boat for fireworks. It is a great holiday which brings a very proud feeling to be living in this county. Thanks for the giveaway!
My favorite 4th of July memory/tradition is doing sparklers in the backyard with my parents. Those were the only ones we were allowed to do and that were legal in our town. And of course the traditional neighborhood potluck BBQ. Nothing fancy, just good food and good fun!
Your clothes are adorable! Thanks for the opportunity to win some!
My favorite 4th of July memory was made last year. When I found out I was pregnant the previous October, I calculated that my due date was the 4th of July. My doctor calculated it to be June 30th, but I really hoped for a 4th of July baby anyhow. As some mild complications arose, my doctor started recommending an induction. I resisted, feeling that everything would turn out as it was meant to be. Finally my doctor insisted on an induction on July 3, and said she hoped the baby was born that day so as to AVOID the holiday birthday. Well, the labor progressed and I finally started to push at 11:50 p.m. on July 3rd. When the baby was born, my first question was, "Is it a boy or a girl?" It was a boy! (We already had a little girl at home, so we were really excited to welcome a boy.) My second question was, "What time is it?" It was 12:01 a.m.! We got our 4th of July baby by 1 minute! For the rest of my life, it will be my favorite holiday, and my special guy will always have fireworks on his birthday!
what cute dresses!
my favorite 4th memory is hand's down last year. my husband's birthday happens to fall on the 4th (i know lucky huh) and we've always had a huge celebration to honor our freedom in this country along with his birthday. last year was a bit different though as our daughter was born 3 months prematurely in march. no big party was to be had, no huge fireworks celebration. instead, we decided to take adali out and about for one of the first times since being home from the NICU. a special onesie was bought (that she immediately threw up all over), we went out for a small family picnic and watched the fireworks from afar. it may not have been the big affair of past years but it was by far the most special. watching my daughter, that had fought 2 long months for her life, fall asleep next to my husband that night made me believe that it had all been worth it. makes me smile just thinking back to it.
ps...you are always in my prayers...
They are sooo cute, that is for sure!!
My favorite 4th of July memory-
I have so many it's hard to choose just one but truthfully it also links into the tradition we had we I was little as well. I have loved the 4th of July as long as I can remember and this is why:
Every year on my dads birthday day, June 27th... the first day you can buy fireworks in Kansas... we would go down the road and stock up on every firework that I wanted. As I got older they of course got more and more dangours aka FUN!! Then you had to sit and wait. BUT the next fun time came on July 3rd... we would go down and buy streamers, flags, any kind of 4th of July decoration you could think of!!! Then that night all the neighbor hood kids would come out with their bikes and decorate them for the next day. The next morning was our annual Colins Park Parade, we would stand in line and ride our bikes around the park... along with fire trucks, kids in wagons, dogs dressed up, every thing you can imagine in a small parade!! After that we would have a block party, all the families would come out to bbq, talk, watch the kids to make sure no one got hurt! That night we would all walk, together, down to Washburn University, lay out blakets and set up chairs.. eat snacks and wait for dark. As dark set in we would watch the fireworks and listen to the music. As soon as it was over we would all walk back home, set off more fireworks, and after a long, long day... say goodnight to all our friends and neighbors and call it a day. I was very lucky to live in such a great neighborhood growing up, I still talk to a few of them, many years later but those 4th of July's will always stay fresh in my mind and I hope that some day I can give my own children these kind of memories!
Thanks for putting up the contest and bringing back such great memories!! You're still in my prayers!
-Kari
I never win anything, but I will still keep trying!
A favorite tradition for us (my husband, me, and our 5 kids) is to camp out for half the day and get ready to watch fireworks. We pack snacks, a cooler with food, and plenty to keep the kids occupied. The sounds of excitement and screams are worth every minute as our kids see the first firework. They are so amazed by them. I love to see their faces and smiles. Fireworks are something that never get old.
Perhaps one of my little girls would be so lucky to be sporting one of those adorable dresses on the fourth as we wait for the fireworks. I do hope they have fireworks in Heaven!
Susan Wilke
i love all of your things and I can never get to etsy fast enough to get any of them!
I would have to say that my favorite July 4th memory would have to be July 4th 2005 it was the last July 4th that my Dad would be alive for. I just remember him being so goofy and happy and playing with all of the kids and then it started to rain before we had time to light off all of the fireworks so the girls stood under umbrellas and the men all stood in the rain lighting the big fireworks off and my dad was right there in the middle of it. I just remember this as one of the last times that I saw my father so happy.
THank you for giving back...I would love to win one of these little treasures for my baby girl.
My favorite 4th of July memory is of my Best Friend getting married on the water with lots of fireworks. It was beautiful.
I love your dresses. My favorite memory was 4 years ago this 4th of July when I got engaged to my hubby! I was so suprised and now every 4th of July I love remembering that day as we watch fireworks. God bless you and your family!
Like others I've been trying to snag a dress for some time now but I'm always late! Your dresses go so fast!
My favorite thing about July 4th is my wedding anniversary. We were married on the 5th. So the 4th holds a special place in my heart. 2 favorite memories of the 4th are the day before my wedding, the whole wedding party went swimming together, and the first 4th as a married couple, we went to our town's fireworks display. We sat in the back of our truck and enjoyed just holding each other and watching the fireworks.Work schedules don't let us do that much anymore. I'm always proud to be an American but days like the
4th, Memorial day, and Veterans day I really like to give thanks to all the men and women who have fought to give me and my family the freedoms that this great country affords us! Your blog is so inspiring to me. You and Joel are in my prayers!
My favorite memory would be the summer my entire extended family was at a local lake to watch the fireworks display, and the dock collapsed due to the unusually large amount of people on it. The water was shallow, so no one was hurt, in fact, my mom stayed in her chair and simply held her coffee cup above her head so she didn't have to sacrifice her caffeine intake for the evening.
Your dresses are beyond beautiful.
Oh my gosh! I forgot my favorite thing about the 4th!
Family BBQ's and dippin' in the pool! It's wicked hot here in July :)
Denise
One of my favorite memories of 4th of July is my younger years, growing up always going to the lakehouse w/ my family and riding jet ski's all day long, being gone for hours on end! Those were the days, I miss those so much.
I love your blog and have prayed for you and your family and think of you often!
I love all of the dresses you make as well!
Ashley
ashleyandcraig@msn.com
I actually just stopped by to let you know that I was thinking about you and thinking about sweet Cora today! I hope you guys are taking it easy and cherish those sweet memories that you have of such a beautiful girl. I think of her all the time!
My favorite 4th of July memory.. I know I do live in canada now, but have only lived here for 4 years and am America, so hopefully I can enter! Anyway, As child i loved when we were on summer holidays and would get to catch the fireworks show some pleace else besides our small home town! I think Redmond oregon is my favorite from my memeory!
These are so gorgeous, and I love the patriotism behind it all!
Favorite memory...
Being little and camping out in my parent's big field... waiting for the neighbors to do their fireworks thing, so we could ooh and ahh over the beautiful lit up night sky. And the burgers and dogs and homemade potato salad didn't hurt either!
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