Fabulous 4th of July

We really enjoyed the 4th yesterday.  First off, we decided to sign up for the Optimist Club's program where they put a flag in your yard just after 7 am and pick it back up around 6 for five holidays during the year.  This was our first one, and the flag looked so pretty flying in front of our house.  

Around 10, we put Gabriel in the stroller and walked the few blocks over to watch our annual neighborhood 4th of July parade.  It was longer than last year, with about 30 cars and motorcycles and pedestrians, all decorated in their red, white and blue finest.  Gabriel's favorite part was the fire truck at the end.  I thought he was going to blow a gasket with excitement.  We then walked down to our neighborhood park to have hot dogs, chips, cookies and lemonade.It was really cool walking through our neighborhood and seeing how many people were gathered outside their houses to watch the parade.  There were big groups of people in lawn chairs, sitting out with their dogs and visiting, all along the route.  It made me really proud to live where we live.  

After eating, they announced the winners for best decorated vehicles, thanked the organizers, and we made the long, hot walk home.  We were so wiped out when we got home, we all three took a nap.  Then I was off to grocery shop, then we did our patriotic duty by heading out to the mall.  We decided Gabriel's too small still to go see any fireworks, so we headed home for dinner and pretty much called it a day.  But it was a really fun day!