The Fourth

Happy Fourth! We drove to Utah last Wednesday (me alone driving the girls, please pat me on the back). On Thursday we played at home. I was looking at the city's website that afternoon and saw that the Children's parade was that afternoon at 6:30! I have so many fond memories of decorating bikes and doing that parade with all the neighborhood kids so I thought we could try it with Willa.

It was last minute, but we got a trike decorated and got down there. Willa loved it. There were lots of kids and a fire engine led the parade. Of course at the end they had Paces Dairy Ann Astro Bars for all the kids, just like when I was a kid. I love small town celebrations!

She was very excited about the Popsicle and while she was riding she sang, "Riding my bike is fun to do, fun to do, fun to do..."

Ryan flew in that evening and the next morning we ran the fun run. Longest fun run in Utah - 35 years! It would have been my dad's 35th year to run it, but he opted out this year in order to play his bagpipe in the parade!! A man who is slave to his traditions is not living. Ryan ran from the house to the race to warm up. He was running and some man working on his lawn said, "Oh, did the race start?" Ryan said no and asked for directions to the start. The man told him and then offered to drive him there! So friendly, I love Centerville! Ryan got first in his age group and I got 201 of the women :). NH met us there and raced too. I love the Centerville fun run!

Later we went to the parade and it was awesome. Our neighbors walked as father and son with the veterans, which was cool. Of course, we were so proud of my dad for learning the bagpipe in the last few years and working hard enough to be able to march in the parade! It was one of the better Centerville parades in recent history.

The differences between my two darling girls was starkly shown at the parade. Willa sat nervously on her dad's lap observing. It was only the very end of the parade when she was comfortable enough to try for a little candy. June, on the other hand, squealed, squeaked, and shouted with joy. From the start she was waving and clapping and pointing and flapping her arms with excitement. She was adorable and soooo thrilled. She has such exuberance for life, it is fun and tiring.

Hands out shyly for candy.

Mid clap

Can you find him?

Grandma gave her three dollars for the carnival!

That evening we went to my dad's office to light fireworks, since we aren't allowed to set anything off up on the hill. My friend Alyson, her new husband, and her family joined us. It was such a pleasant evening except for two overly tired girls! We had homemade ice cream, had snacks, and just enjoyed sitting in the nice evening weather and chatting. Since our families grew up together it was just comfortable and fun to be with her parents and to have her little brother and his wife with us.