Happy 4th of July 2017

Last year we stayed in Seattle for the 4th of July.  It was cold and rainy.  My kids declared that we were NEVER staying in Seattle for the 4th again.  And, it turned out that this year we were in Utah for the family reunion, so we stayed on for the 4th of July.  Centerville Utah does put on a good 4th of July. 

On the 3rd we went to the Bubble.  It was super fun to see baby Ruger experience his first time swimming.  He seemed to enjoy it.  I love the photo bomb by Sarah.  Our fun was cut a little short by a kid who pooped in the pool though.  Yuck.  

Then we went home and scrambled to get ready for the children's parade.  It was HOT.  These 3 looked so cute in the wagon.  Grandpa used to pull this wagon with his tractor.  A couple of years ago they  made a no  motorized vehicle rule (mostly for the kids driving those cars and running people over, I think.)  This year we dutifully left the tractor at home, but then there were other motorized vehicles, so I think the rules have relaxed.  Next year, back to the tractor!

Gramps with the boys.  They look like they are having fun, don't they?

Aria.  She loves it when I do her princess hair.

Libby and Sarah got separated from us because they dutifully went to the end of the line to join the parade.  We didn't.  We just cut in line.  When they found us they were upset.  "No pictures mom."

Baby Ruger & Mommy with Uncle Soren

I have almost this exact picture 2 years ago with James.  Love it!  The best part of this parade are the Pace's popsicles afterward. 

I'm so glad my kids are older.  But babies are so cute!

Ready for some fun in the crowded park, including a Beatles cover band concert.  

Showing off popsicle tongues!
The kids enjoyed the concert because they sat with Emily and Soren and (I think) played on their phones.  But nonetheless, we all made it to the fireworks.  We sit right around the corner from the park, and right across from the school where they light off the fireworks in my Great Uncle Pork's yard.  It was too much for Sarah.  I forgot she doesn't like fireworks.  But she was sitting too far away from me to realize it.  So Soren walked her home.
I got to walk home with Ben.  Man that kid is adorable.  I love having conversations with him.  He makes me laugh.  

It was already bright and hot for the 4th of July parade at 9:00 am the next day.  

Parade Selfies. 

Kids with bags for candy.  They loved gathering the ridiculous amount of candy tossed out.  And, since they don't really like salt water taffy (which is the majority of what is tossed) they don't end up eating that much.  

James loving the parade.  He couldn't quite figure out the picking up candy thing.  It was a bit overstimulating for him.  But the kids gave him some, and helped him gather some, so he got to take some home.  

I got this card.  from someone handing them out.  Ben said, "Mom, you should put this in your wallet, just in case we need it."

We spent a relaxing day (okay, frantically cleaning to get ready for the Thornes to come, and with me packing to get ready to drive home the next day).  We had a yummy BBQ with the Thorne family (our long time friends that we always see on the 4th of July).  Then it was home fireworks time.  While they are illegal everywhere around us in Seattle, in Utah, more aerials are legal!  So we had a good show!
Grandpa with his fireworks.  

James lasted through the first 1 second of fireworks.  Then he watched the rest from inside the house.  

With popcorn. 

The assembled onlookers.  

Ruger came home mid show, he was asleep, but the fireworks ended that! 

Ben loved the fireworks.  He laid in the grass for a better view!