4th of July

I love this holiday.  What could be better than waking up at 4:30 a.m. and not going to bed until 12:30 a.m. the next day?  The Freedom Run is my favorite race I do each year.  It’s so crowded but it’s so much fun running along the parade route. 

This year I couldn’t convince any family to run with me so I ran with my friend Lisa, her daughter, sister-in-law, and her mom. I feel freakishly tall in this picture.

Turns out all my worries about not preparing enough for this race were for nothing.  I was able to run my fastest race time ever this year!  My time was 27:13.  What surprised me the most was that I placed 13 in my age group of women between 30-34.  Not too shabby for a thirty-something mom of three.  I pretty much floated on that adrenaline the rest of the day. 

Josh saved us spots for the parade this year .  Way to take one for the team!  I love that all the cousins still love to watch the parade.  Here’s most of the gang.

Markee and me.  Isn’t she so cute?  I made her sit on my lap to remind her that 13 years ago today she sat in my lap the entire parade just talking my ear off, and I had just met her. 

This picture was taken when everyone was just sitting around waiting for the parade to start.  We have to get there pretty early to stake our claim on the blankets but man, the wait is killer in the sun.

This year some of the parade people were smart.  They gave out great stuff.  Piper scored a fireman hat and almost all the kids got a stick of sidewalk chalk.  Brilliant!  I think next year I should add chalk to my list of things to bring to the parade.

Proof that both Mark and I were there together.  I find that it’s either Mark or me who take pictures and then we find we have no pictures with us together.

Téa found a comfy spot to lounge.

Nicolas has his mischievous face on.

After the parade it was home to get ready for the BBQ (and a much needed shower for me).  Mark got to try out his new creation.  The triple-threat rocket launcher. 

Marin got to try out her Gandalf rocket.  It was awesome.

After filling our bellies we headed to Thanksgiving Point to stake our claim at the perfect spot for playing and waiting for fireworks. 

Tamsyn took this picture of Piper.  Piper has finally learned how to wear her bow.  She forgot to bring her arrows, though.

We tried playing Rage…in the wind…as it got dark.  Didn’t work so well.  I blame those conditions on my score. 

The fireworks didn’t disappoint.  Piper stayed awake through the entire show this year.  She even stayed awake for the traditional game of Werewolves while the parking lot emptied out.  I’m so glad for the traditions we’ve started with family on this holiday.  I’m grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in our country.  Mark travels a lot to China and he comes home and always mentions how blessed we are to live in the United States.  I concur.