Happy Independence Day

We had a busy day planned for the Fourth of July. We started off hitting up the Lenexa Parade at 10 am. This parade isn't much of a parade, rated a 3 out of 10 by our group. haha. But it was fun for Hailey. There were politicians riding in cars and passing out flyers. One marching band. A group of old people called Shriners. A couple dance/gymnastics studios passing out flyers. The Renaissance Festival people all dressed up. Tons of cool cars (Travis' favorite part). And then whatever groups wanted to walk and advertise (UPS, Boy Scouts, etc.). It wasn't a huge, major production. But we'll continue to go every year because Hailey enjoys it and it gives us something to do in the morning. (And they throw candy... so that by itself will keep me coming back...)

 After the parade, we went out to "breakfast" with some friends. It was more like lunch since it was at noon. But it was delicious! I was a 10 year old boy and got SUPER chocolaty chocolate chip pancakes. Holy crapola, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Then we came home and put the girls down for a nap and played some games with friends. 

At 5 pm, we went to another friend's for a BBQ. We had the best burgers ever thanks to Brielle's dad. Delicioso!

We aren't allowed to light our own fireworks here, so everyone just goes to the show the city puts on. The fireworks started at 9:30, so we went there at 7:30 to claim our spot and play games. We played some bocce ball (thanks for the set Mom!), and threw a frisbee around. Hailey loved throwing the frisbee around with Matt and Travis.

The fireworks were AMAZING. Hailey was scared at first. I was surprised. But I started pointing out all the different colors to her and she got excited. Every time a blue one showed up she'd yell, "I lub blue!". Emma had cotton in her ears (that we put there...) and she slept through the whole show! It was wonderful. 

I made Emma and Hailey's skirts this year. We had the matching Old Navy shirts, but I couldn't find any skirts for the girls to match. So I made 'em. 

 

  Sometimes Dad has to be super funny for us to get a good picture...

 I never got a picture of them together before Emma had a blow out... So I took one of them in their skirts on Sunday.  

We had a great Fourth of July, spent with good friends and great food. Yes, food ranks higher than friends. We ate really good that day. ;) 

We're grateful to live in a country that has the freedoms it does. And we're grateful to all those men and women that fought, and continue to fight, to make that possible. God bless the USA!