4th Of July

Unlike our summer, the 4th of July did not get off to a good start, but got progressively better as the day went on!  I tried to sneak in a run while the kids were watching cartoons, which usually works out fine.  They know daddy is sleeping so they can get him if they need him, otherwise they just sit and stare at the tv!  For some reason, when I walked back into the house after my run, the majority of my kids were crying and Carey was upset that he had woken up to fighting.  I'm still not sure what happened, but I think it was all about red leggings!  Then Haley didn't want to go to the parade we always go to and Abby was freaking out, because she so looks forward to it (which makes it seem like it's a lot more awesome than it is).  But, the kids and I did manage to make it out the door without anyone in tears and with all the snacks and entertainment that we would need for the two hours that we would wait for the parade to start (gotta get there early to get a good spot)!

I think my kids favorite thing about the parade is that they get to get a doughnut!  And maybe all the dogs!  Once we made it down there, we did have a really good time.  We got to catch up with some dear, special friends, we painted nails, played Uno and saw lots of friends.  Carey made it down shortly before the parade started and Grammie Lori, Uncle Nate and Auntie Melissa came shortly after it started! 

If you only get a doughnut once a year, might as well pick the biggest one, right?!

Our friend Sam came and joined us (and hung out with the kiddos and I while we waited for it to start).

Gotta love the dogs:)

After the parade we went home and played in the pool and lounged around at home!  Later in the afternoon we had a bbq out in the street with our neighbors and had a great time!  The girls were all in bed well before fireworks were happening and thankfully, Banjo was not bothered by them!

This is what happens when we hang out with our neighbors...soda and candy!

Look how fun our neighbors are!