You want to hear me get sappy? Ask me to talk about McKinney, TX. I could gush all day about this town that I call home. I love McKinney. I am so thankful that we live here. I did a whole post on McKinney one time that you can read HERE. So, if you want to hear me gush…ask about McKinney. Or the Red Sox 😉 .
On Tuesday morning, we gathered on our town square for the annual parade. This is one of my FAVORITE McKinney traditions. This year was extra special for our family because it was Madeley’s first Fourth 🙂 . I decided to just let the pictures speak for themselves this year. Most are from our iPhones but the ones at the end are pictures my professional photographer friend, Brooke, took (the one who adopted Willow this year!).
So, from my town to yours…here’s hoping you had a great Fourth too!
Happy Fourth of July from these three cuties who, this time last year, were all in orphanages across China. God is good, friends!
xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
How festive! Your family is the cutest! I love seeing all the 4th of July celebrations you guys had in the US – makes me wish we had a “4th of July” ourselves here too! Haha!
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Shelley Holden says
That last picture….be still my heart! Precious girls!
Elspeth Mizner says
This is so sweet! What a fun place McKinney is!!! Where is your shirt from Shay?! Super cute!! I attempted to make some 4 of July treats for the day. Did you have any recipes?
Mix and Match Mama says
My shirt is from Ily Couture online! And yes, I have a ton of July 4th recipes :).
Elspeth Mizner says
Yay!!!! thank you! Good luck with Ashby’s procedure today. May God Bless her!!! Prayers for a speedy recovery!
Bethany says
This is precious and so special! Happy Independence Day!
Heather Bramlett says
All great pictures. But that last one…oh my!
Carly says
All the pictures of Madeley and Britt are so cute. The ones of Ashby smiling is my favorite too. I love the dresses the littlest are wearing!
Sheaffer Sims says
Wonderful pictures! The one with Madeley’s little arm around Britt!!!! OMG!
Lizzie @ This Happy Life says
What awesome pictures!!!! Looks like the best 4th!
Lauren says
I can’t be the only one curious… where’s the gals red stripe/blue star dress from??? So fun and festive!
Mix and Match Mama says
Amazon!!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
Great photos! Love everyones outfits. It looks like such a special town 🙂
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
April Parrish says
Love these precious pics!!! You’re right- God is good!!! Have a blessed day!
Erika Slaughter says
Such a great Fourth and I could gush on our town too! :). That picture of those three girls makes me tear up. God is good.
Jess says
That pic of Madely holding Britt is the cutest! And that last pic? Be still my heart is right! God is so good and what a blessing those three are ?
Meagan Ruse says
Oh how we love McKinney! The square is my absolute favorite. It always feels like you’re on a movie set of the most perfect little town! The pictures of all our kids- Madely snuggled in Holden’s lap!!!! My heart! My kids are already asking when the next parade is! I’m actually just excited as they are!
Angelique says
Fourth of July colors make the BEST photos! As always, your family is adorable. And, I don’t know how I haven’t noticed before but your hair is getting so long! It looks great.
Beth Miller says
My town of Franklin, TN is so similar to McKinney! Our neighborhood does a huge July Fourth parade complete with yearly theme. This year was ICE, and a small section of our street went as characters from Frozen. Our neighbor made a wagon into a sleigh, and the kids dressed up and tossed candy along the parade route. It was precious, and they won the small float category! It’s so wonderful to raise a family in the comfort of a small town. I know exactly how you feel!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve been to Franklin! And YES, I totally agree!!
Rebecca Purdie says
I love seeing all of the pictures.
The last picture is worth a thousand words. Beautiful little girls.
Enjoy your day!
Beth Glidden says
This was my first 4th of July as a McKinney resident and the parade did not disappoint! Love the small town feel of this town!
Katie Godwin says
I made three of your July 4th recipes for Tuesday, the blueberry bars, the white chocolate strawberry neiman marcus bars (everyone’s favorite and mine!), and the Red, White, and Blueberry Cheesecake 🙂 Thank you for such easy recipes! Every holiday I host has your mix n match recipes 🙂
Laura @ Laura Likes Design says
This makes me want to visit McKinney! I love everyone’s festive outfits!
Erin Blum says
Your family and your friends families are just picture perfect!! Random note…my husband and I were watching cutthroat kitchen on the food network last night and one young girl was from McKinney Texas! I said “HEY! I follow a blogger from there.” lol Happy 4th to you & your sweet family. 🙂
nichole says
That picture of Madeley with her arm around Britt? Melts my heart.
Nicole in WI says
OMG I want your friends stars and stripes dress. Any chance you know where that is from?
Adorable pictures.
Mix and Match Mama says
She said Amazon!!
Ashley says
YES I was wondering that same thing, it looks like a jumpsuit!!
Kristin says
That last picture! Oh my heart!
Kara says
The picture with Madeley and Britt is my favorite!!! I love how Madeley has just “taken” to Britt.
Amy says
Love these! Especially the last one 🙂
Terri says
Love your shirt! I feel like I have seen it before but may I ask where you got it from?
I love your blog and your sweet family.
Mix and Match Mama says
http://www.ilycouture.com 🙂
Terri says
thank you!
Jenny byrd says
After moving from Mckinney last month I have to say that yes, it is a special place and you are blessed to live there!
Erin Sutch says
So much fun packed into one morning! The last pic is beyond words! Lucky little girls, and lucky families who love them!
Laura Bake says
LOVE This! I’d love to read an article about how you and your group of friends all met!
Shawnna Griffin says
hey girl- love the post! cool pics! I’m not to far from y’all up here in Shawnee,OK!!
Lindsey says
That last picture…so sweet!! My other faves are the ones where Britt is fussy looking and you can see the concern/caring all over sweet Madeley’s face!
Brooke Richardson says
Another awesome parade in the books! I agree too, I found myself tearing up a few times. I just love our town!
Tracy says
Love all the red, white & blue! Looks like a fun morning.
Tracy says
I forgot to ask about the rest of your day — you didn’t tell us about the party bus! That looked like fun! 🙂
Lindsay D says
Cue the tears after that last picture! God is amazing!!
Whitney Pegram says
Cutest little town!! And your hair is getting so long! LOVE it!
Lauren says
Where are your glasses from? Do you have multiple pairs of ray ban aviators? 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Those are from Nordstrom and they’re about 2.5 years old. I keep those things forever!
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
I just love your Fourth post!!! I look forward to all those darling faces and your cute patriotic outfits!!! Such a fun day!
Vivian says
All the kids are super cute and sweet!!
Olivia says
Love that last photo!! <3
Amy Rae DeVito says
What a special and beautiful post! Your town sure does know how to celebrate the Fourth! <3 Great photos!!! That last one brought tears to my eyes. God is so good!!
Corbie says
Oh my gosh. That last picture got me. Wow.
Nicole D says
I had the pleasure of visiting McKinney while I was on a business trip in June. I had the best iced latte at Filtered- I think it was lavender vanilla! Such an adorable town square, I wish I had more time to walk around!
Vicki says
Love all the photos, but particularly the one of Madeley with her arm around Britt. Gorgeous!
Emilee Lopez says
Does your friend in the first selfie have a connection to Guatemala? I can spot a Guatemalan-made item from a mile away! Cute pictures!
Alexis deZayas says
That last picture is powerful. Such a sweet day!
Shelly says
Love these pictures! Madeley has already grown and changed so much. Loving your shirt too!
Beth says
Does Ray Ban still make your sunglasses. I really like how they fade/change at the bottom. Also love your friend’s American flag dress. And all the kids are so cute in their red, white and blue.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! They’re Ray Bans!
polly says
I am in the process of adoption from another country and needing to settle on some things. Please, if you are willing to share–Did you consider keeping your daughters Chinese names as a way of keeping them connected to their birth culture and birth identity? Why did you decide not to? I totally understand if this is too personal to share.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love that you’re in the process of adopting too!! You will be so blessed!! Okay, both of our girls’ names were assigned to them at the orphanage and they were not called them (because it’s too hard to keep up with so many kids’ names), so the names didn’t have any significance or importance. They were just names for paper.
Jeanie says
My mother’s maiden name was McKinney, so I can’t help but be somewhat fascinated when you talk about your little town.
Mari says
Shay, I just love how many kids are there right in front of the parade!! Seriously the best part! When we get together with all of our friends and family it’s a similar view and I just can’t get enough.
Patty Richey says
Love the popsicle dresses….Kat and Jack?
Patty
http://www.goodbetterbestfood.blogspot.com
Mix and Match Mama says
Gymboree!
Lara Brown says
I love McKinney!! I use to visit when I lived in North Plano. I am actually going up there for the weekend on July 27th. The community is amazing!
Angela Ellingson says
Such a fun tradition! So many beautiful photos! Those last two pictures especially melt my heart.
Robin Oyun says
Oh my gosh, the big kids being so sweet with all the littles warms my heart!!!