#tbt Favorite 4th of July Memories

Today, I thought I'd take a short walk down memory lane.  Obviously, the 4th of July is going to look very different this year as most celebrations across the country have been cancelled due to the coronavirus.  It's been quite a few years since I haven't traveled up to Bar Harbor to celebrate Independence Day with my family.  In fact, for me, the 4th of July is pretty much synonymous with summer in Bar Harbor.

Since all of the normal celebrations have been cancelled, and because my family wouldn't be doing much of anything to begin with, Eliot and I have made the decision to stay home this upcoming weekend.  I've got a lot of mixed feelings about it.  I know it's for the best, but that still doesn't mean that I'm totally ok with it.

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic so I thought that I'd do a Throwback Thursday post to take a peek back at a few of my favorite 4th of July memories through the past few years.

2013- This was Eliot's and my first 4th of July after we got married.  I bought us these fun 4th of July Mickey and Minnie shirts for the occasion.

This is the last year we were able to celebrate the 4th of July with Grammie.

2014- This was Elissa's first 4th of July with us in Bar Harbor.

Eliot and I wore our Mickey and Minnie shirts again.

This was the first time we celebrated the 4th of July after Grammie passed away in March of this year.  We brought the Wally the Green Monster Build-A-Bear plush we had gotten her in to Bar Harbor with us watch the parade in her memory. 

This was also the last 4th of July that we were able to celebrate with my Papa.

 

2015- This year, Elissa joined us for the 4th of July again.  Elissa and I wore the handmade mouse ears we made for the parade.

Eliot and I wore our Mickey and Minnie shirts again.

After the parade, Elissa, Eliot, Jeremy and I went into Acadia National Park and to Bass Harbor Headlight for the afternoon.  We had a lot of fun exploring around the park before going back into town for the fireworks!

2016- This was the year I debuted my custom made Mickey American Flag dress.  (I told you I've been trying to launch my clothing line for years now...)  I was so excited and proud to wear something that I designed and created!!!

I got so many compliments on my dress!

I also wore matching red, white and blue Minnie shoes!!!

2017- This year, both Eliot and Jeremy had to work, so I made the trip up to Bar Harbor by myself.  I loved my Mickey dress so much that I wore it again.  

I also debuted my new Mickey Alex and Ani bracelets.

And the Minnie shoes made another appearance!

The donkeys (and their friends) were also there to watch the parade!  "Grandpa," aka my Dad, gave them little flags to hold.  They also got plenty of parade candy.

It was a beautiful day.  There was even a rainbow before the fireworks!

2018- This year, I wore my new Disney Dress Shop Mickey Americana dress and the matching headband.  I got a ton of compliments on that dress too!

The boys both had to work again, so I went into Bar Harbor with Mom, Dad and Nana!

2019- Last summer, Eliot and I both made the trip up to Bar Harbor to watch the parade with my Mom, Dad and Nana.

We were also joined by our little donkey friends who were wearing their new hats!

Eliot and I modeled a few new 4th of July ear designs for our Happily Ever Hatter Instagram post along with our new Toy Story shirts!

As you can see, I've spent the last seven of my 4th of Julys in Bar Harbor.  The last time I didn't was in 2012 and I was probably working that day and couldn't get home for it.  (I would have been saving all of my extra time off for our September 2012 Disney Wedding.)  It's crazy that it seems like a lifetime ago now... 

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my stroll down memory lane!  I really enjoyed looking back at all of these fun times.  And I'm really looking forward to making more 4th of July memories in Bar Harbor next year!!!  °o°