Friday, July 11, 2014

Celebrating the U.S. of A

What a grand celebration we had this year ringing in the 4th!! Our day started with pancake yumminess...
We later donned our red, white, and blue and headed to a local old-fashioned Independence Day celebration put on by our county. It was a really fun time for all of us, including our beloved Mim/Pop--definitely a tradition we'll try to keep in the future!

The kids got to climb around various Army vehicles, tried their lot at firemen's hoses, made crafts, listened to family-friendly bands (M's favorite), jumped in a bounce house, had their faces painted, observed a reading of the Declaration of Independence from actors in costume, rode ponies, had a planned water fight... And we still didn't do everything in almost 4 hours! It was grand fun.

Can you spot T? Future military?
Future firemen? (J, T, and M on left)
Future cavalrymen?



Our oldest and youngest patriots
Afterward, we enjoyed an evening picnic at Mimi and Papa's--bliss!--the end to a fantastic day!

Due to weather, we hit pause and resumed the following evening to watch fireworks down by the river. It was the most beautiful night (we even brought long-sleeves!) and we reveled in good picnic food, card games, and eventually fireworks! M and V were both nervous about the noise, but made it through really well--a G fam first! 




Don't these two look alike?!
Thanks be to God for our country, our freedom, the ones who protect us, and the Almighty for His Everlasting Love! We are ever-grateful this year. 

God bless America,
Lilypie First Birthday tickers