Fourth of July Fun

Our neighborhood has a parade every year on the 4th of July. Hannah walked Snickers in the parade and I helped with the judging. And as parades need spectators, James & Chris chose to do that.

Hannah carefully planned her outfit for today, down to the tattoos and accessories.



Hannah & Snickers


Snicker's friend, Maddie, who won the award for "Best Pet" in the parade.

Some of the other children waiting for the parade to start.

Someone even borrowed some ponies for the parade!

And the parade begins.


The parade route follows the main road through the neighborhood, up and down the hills.

Back at the neighborhood pavilion, Chris and the kids helped with the dessert judging.

Hannah participated in some games. She beat this boy in arm wrestling. Hannah was defeated by an older girl in the next round. She did however, win the hula hoop contest.

We stayed for a little while and swam, but then we went home to get ready for our 4th of July cookout. Note the "misting" station that we have set up in the tree to help keep people cool.

I had won a Budweiser House party (houseparty.com), so we tied that in with our cookout. Here is some of the stuff that Budweiser/Houseparty sent us.


We filled up nearly 100 water balloons for the kids to play with to help beat the heat.

Chris used the air compressor to launch water rockets.

Then around 7 pm, the sky got a little too dark. We packed up everything just in time before it started to pour. So much for the sparklers and fireworks!