4th of July

Wow, yesterday was a long, but very fun day! It actually started on Thursday afternoon, when the kids and I ran downtown (Hillsboro-5 minutes away from here) and roped off our spot for the parade. Now, I may sound like a crazy parade-goer, and I guess you are right! Last year, we went early but still had to kind of squeeze in between people. We have a favorite spot under these big oak trees, so I wanted to rope it off super early so we wouldn't have to worry. And that is just what happened!

Friday morning was the parade. It was really fun and exciting. There were firetrucks, army trucks, bands, horses, gymnasts and even Storm Troopers! The best of all, though, was the CANDY!!! Everyone threw candy (as well as beef sticks, necklaces, stuffed animals, cookies and loaves of bread!) and the kids would scramble to collect their treasures. What a great parade!

The firetrucks were a little loud for Drew, go figure!

SCORE!!

Sadie was an expert goodie-grabber!

Then we went home and started to prepare for the party we were having with our neighbors, Lynn and Jason. Friends started arriving at 3:00 and we ate and talked and played all evening! It was a little tough with the kids, waiting for it to get dark. But it finally did and the fireworks began! The kids did sparklers and Pop-its and the dads did all the cool fountain fireworks. I know, I know, fireworks are way dangerous, and believe me, it freaks me out! But everyone was safe and careful, thank goodness!

Zack and Drew were very scared by the loudness of the fireworks, so our neighbor, Angela, kindly let them use some headphones. What a difference! They both actually watched and hardly flinched at all! Drew started falling asleep so I put him to bed around 10 and the shortly after that, Zack was ready to go too. Sadie stayed up until all was cleaned up and done. This morning, they all slept until 9:40!!! Holy cow, it was great! That was definitely a fun and memorable 4th of July. Here's to many more to come!

I made this flag cake for the first time. It turned out pretty darn good!

Drew and his little buddy, Selah

Zack liked the food. Smart kid.

The Grill Master

Killing time until fireworks, trying to stay awake!

What?!

Good times with the precious family