July 4th and a Ride on a Float!

This year we went one town over for Independence Day because Grace's dance group had a float and she got to ride on it.  That was quite exciting and the change of venue was fun.  We found ourselves a pretty decent spot near the beginning of the parade route and set up camp.  We brought water and CapriSun packets and Otter Pops all packed in ice inside a cooler, but it was so dang hot the Otter Pops were plastic sleeves full of juice by the time we left.  This summer has been a scorcher!  I'm glad we got pictures of Grace at the beginning of the parade route.  By the time we picked her up at the end, she was sweaty and limp despite the icy water filled bottle and the best efforts of her dance teacher to mist the kids down with a spray bottle as they went along. 

There were SO MANY kids along the parade route.  The police sent out regular patrols on 4 wheelers to remind everyone to stay back past the lines in the road.  The kids were so eager to get candy they were running right next to the floats and if it weren't for the roving officers someone would have been run over sooner or later.  By the time we went home we had pockets overflowing with candy, red, white and blue beads around our necks, a tube of toothpaste, and Chad had a coupon for a free tie.  We tried to snag balls and frisbees and t-shirts too, but had no luck, which Merritt was pretty bummed about.

 

Joseph loved the horses and was excited anytime they went by.

Grant snagged the most candy: he's small and quick.

It's okay Merritt!  I didn't get a frisbee either!  But in Merritt's words, "No one pays attention to 10 year old boys!"

Heather enjoys a Otter juice-cicle while Grant gums a salt water taffy.

Joseph gets a ride on Daddy the Pack Mule.

We ended our day by blowing up our small corner of America in honor of our wonderful country - we got some good fireworks this year!  We also got to watch the city fireworks display from our own front lawn.  It was a fun day!!