Red, White, And Blue

I think yesterday was my favorite 4th of July to date.  Yes, there were some meltdowns, tears, hitting, screaming, but I'm pretty sure that will be part of every day until Christ returns!

We started the day off with the Worlds Shortest Parade in Aptos.  There is really nothing spectacular about it, but it's just a fun community event.  We got there early to stake out our spot and our friends, the Hughes, joined us shortly.  Laura and I took the kiddos to get doughnuts (I think it's their favorite part of the parade tradition) and they all chose "sprinkler" doughnuts!  Then, we just hung out and waited!

The parade was actually really fun.  Seth was thrilled that he got to see tubas and cymbals and drums in the marching band!  Abby was excited to see the "polar bear dogs" (those big white furry kind).  Laura and I were excited that it was super warm, and not foggy like it normally is!

After the parade and some rest time, we went to a free family swim at the local swim center.  It was pretty crazy, but super fun.  Abby and Haley are really swimming well, and Seth is just a wild maniac in the water.  It was definitely a good thing that we had three adults for three kids (what would we ever do without our dear Auntie Laura).

Carey barbequed delicious burgers for dinner and after dinner Laura and I went and laid (is that supposed to be "lied", "lay", "lie"?) down on the grass in the sunshine.  Haley and Abby came and cuddled with us and Carey and Seth went and got their guitars and sat on the patio and played some music.  It was really nice.  Then, because a peaceful moment can't last too long, Abby jumped up and yelled "naked trampoline", stripped off her clothes, helped Seth strip off his, and the two of them dashed off to the trampoline, where they thoroughly entertained Laura, Haley and I.  Gosh, it really was so fun.

Abby, Aubrey, and Haley enjoying their doughnuts!

Beading red, white, and blue necklaces while waiting for the parade:)

Look at Haley's cute face as she watches the parade.

It's not a parade with out tears!  Haley's balloon popped.  Need I say more?!