Independence Day Fun!

On July 3rd, to get things moving, Scott, Kate, Jill, James, and I walked/rolled in the Children's parade.

We had a blast. People along the parade route sat in their front yards and watched the children all decorated in red, white, and blue roll by on their scooters, bikes, strollers etc. as their parents walked with them to the park for a Popsicle.

After the parade, we walked to Marcus and Jill's house for some fun, games, and food before the fireworks began right next to their house at the elementary school.

Scott and I decided our reserved parking space and seat make this spot a perfect annual 3rd of July tradition.

Taylor, Kate, Me, and Brooke.
We were doing ring-around-the-rosie in the wading pool.

Kate wanted to go on the slip-n-slide but she didn't understand the run and slide concept. I took her down a few times and then she decided going with someone was more fun so she got Jeni and Daddy to take her for a ride down too.

Then, on the 4th, we enjoyed our city parade--taking advantage of our reserved parking spot at Jill's house just a minute from a prime location on the parade route. Jeni, Cameron, and Sam already had a spot staked out for us with chairs and blankets. The weather was perfect for everything we did and it was easy to appreciate the way we live and the many people who made our life of leisure and pleasure possible.

Sam, Kate, and James

Kate was so fun to watch and Scott and I put this holiday a lot higher on our list of favorites now that Kate is old enough to see the magic in it. She really loved all the fireworks and parade fun. She prayed for the "towns" (clowns) at the "pah-wade" (parade) for a few days and talked about "-pendence day,"our "fwee-dum," the "fi-uh-wurks" in the sky, all the colors, and all the loud noises.