Go America!

Nothing beats a hometown parade, yummy bbq with friends, and a good fireworks show. Gosh, I really do love the 4th. It's really nice getting together with everyone from your community and just celebrate the awesome country that we live in.

I was a little worried at first because Ava woke up in a funk. Seriously though, attitude at age 2. The teenage years are going to be hard on all of us!


Thankfully once the parade started and the candy started flowing that frown turned completely upside down.


Ava loved that little flag. She waved it in the store when we bought it and she couldn't stop waving it at the parade. But sadly, the little flad met it's demise seconds after returning home from the parade. Sidenote, you can't see it in the picture, but Ava is actually applauding the people in the parade. Super cuteness.


The loot. Hmmm...that tootsie roll is looking mighty tasty.


Here's the cutest baby at the entire parade.


And proof that I was also in attendance. Notice the medalian around my neck? A girl in the parade handed Ava a soccer medal. Weird. Upon closer expection, it was a 1st place medal for the boys 9/10 year olds from 2006. I think I'm working it pretty well.


And then the finale of the night was of course the fireworks. I was pretty nervous how Ava would handle staying up so late, especially since she totally objected to taking her nap earlier that afternoon. But she did amazingly well. Here are Ava and Josh taking a break from throwing snaps.


Reid's first fireworks show. By the time the show started the little guy was already passed out.


I think Ava enjoyed the show enough for the both of them.


Thanks Melissa for the pics. I especially love the next pic. Ava sure got into the fireworks this year. She was pretty disappointed that they only happen once a year.