Happy Monday! I feel like I’ve been on a holiday since the Fourth, because I went from celebrating in Malibu to resting in Michigan over the weekend. I’m still in my hometown, indulging in family time with Jake and Evan (and my mama!) on Lake Michigan. But before sharing more sweet snaps from this trip, I wanted to post some of my favorites from the Fourth of July.

The Fourth is a big holiday for my family. We celebrate with a festive party on the third, all dolled up and ready to dance alongside a DJ (obviously, I channel my college days and attempt to break it down like I’m 21 again)… which typically fails miserably. This year my dancing skills were particularly lame because mamahood is exhausting, but merely playing dress up for a night out with my hubby was good enough for me.

Our little Evan Grey still wanted to wake up very early on the Fourth of July, so we kicked off the holiday itself at sunrise. Naturally, I had five outfit changes prepped for my babe, because he looks SO ADORABLE IN EVERYTHING. My favorite were the little red, white and blue moccasins by Freshly Picked.

Jake and I took Ev for a little walk down the beach, and I admittedly welled up with mama tears (the happy kind!) because it was this time last year that we talked about life with a baby. We had been walking alongside the ocean, daydreaming about the day we’d someday get to walk the beach with our child. Weeks later, we learned that little one was on its way.

Fast forward a year, and here we are, indulging in all things Evan at the beach. I feel a crazy amount of gratefulness that’s impossible for me to express…

This weekend was magical for so many reasons — but mostly because I recognized a once-daydream had turned into our reality. We danced, we cheered, we loved, we toasted…

… and most of all, we said thank you for this beautiful stage of life.

Black Dress: Cushnie Et Ochs | Top: Jen’s Pirate Booty | Skirt: Revolve | Suit: Marysia Swim | Baby Moccasins: Freshly Picked