Fourth of July Recap

Good morning everyone (nearly afternoon already!). Finally the weather cooperated for us and the sun was shining all day long and there is no rain in the forecast for a whole week! Practically unheard of in this neck of the woods!

Tuesday evening we left the kids with my parent's and headed to a nearby lake where they put on a fireworks show. We got together with some friends and just relaxed by a bonfire. Before we knew it, it was 1:00 am!

Needless, to say we were each dragging a bit the next morning but at least we had a chance to sleep in a bit since the kids were at my parent's.

We picked up the kids and headed out to a local island where Brandon's entire extended family get together every year on the 4th for a parade and bbq.

The tide was out quite a ways.... I guess they consider these the flats. By the end of the day it had started to come in.

This year the family decided to actually put a float in the parade instead of just talking about it. :)
The plan was for the four of us to ride, but Jax didn't want to. What a surprise! So, Kendra and I did. I was surprised with how great she did. She tried so hard to throw the candy far enough to reach the kids but she couldn't quite make it. :)

What is so great about this parade is that it such a small community so the parade isn't full of politicians and big businesses trying to advertise. It is just a community coming together and having fun. In years past there have been floats with water cannons and bystanders with water guns. It is just a good time. :)

We spent the majority of the day out at the beach and headed home around 4:00. The kids promptly nodded off and slept about an hour; long enough to pick a few little fireworks and make the drive home. After that we had our parents' over for a late bbq and smores and just spent the evening in the backyard.

 Pretty much my only requirement of Brandon when picking out the fireworks was to get lots of sparklers. They are my favorite part of the 4th and the kids really enjoyed them too.

However, as soon as the bigger, louder things started going off I got an inkling of Jaxson's unease.

He was very unsure and kept wanting to go inside. Kendra on the other hand was completely entranced (just like I thought she would be) . Brandon ended up sitting inside with Jaxson while Kendra and I sat on the back deck curled up in blankets. She was so excited and kept chattering on and on and then pretty soon fell silent. She had fallen asleep. Poor thing was so worn out from such a busy day.

Fireworks are legal in our city limits so people go a little crazy. It was about one when I finally nodded off and didn't get woken up again.

All in all, it was a fantastic day! What did you go?