4th of July

We woke up early on the 4th to go the same ol' neighborhood parade my family has been to since my mom was a little girl. She used to walk in the parade, I used to walk in the parade, and maybe Ellie will walk in the parade next year. I admit, I was too lazy to put her in it this year. She didn't know the difference... and anyway, she loved catching the candy that the other kids threw.

Here we are before the parade... all decked out and ready to go.


This is Ali and Ellie during the parade. One of the sherriffs had given her a big star sticker to wear. Claire and Sarah are in the background.


Meg needed to catch some beauty sleep. I was carrying her in a sling Christina loaned me when Meg was born. Meg didn't really like it when she was little, so I had it out to give it back when I decided to give it a try again. Meg loves it now... so I guess we'll be mailing it to Philadelphia when she grows out of it. The sling makes grocery store shopping soooo much easier. A lot less heavy than the front-loader (as my family calls it - though Justin says that's some kind of construction device) and Meg thinks she's just being held. It's part of the diaper-bag ensemble now.

Here's all the grand-daughters in town this week: Sarah, Meg, Claire, Elise, and Michelle.

I finally managed to make one of those braided crowns from the weeds in our backyard. Ellie wore it for a little while, but decided it wasn't as cool as her own pink sparkly crowns inside.

Like father, like daughter. Here's Justin and Meg looking like twins.

This is my favorite look of Meg's from the 4th. Justin is offended I cut him out of the picture. He says you have to see him to really appreciate it, because he is going to kiss Meg and that is making her smile. I said Meg was cuter than him, and he was in the last picture.

Our smiling girl again....

Two girls and their dad. Meg didn't quite get the point of the second one, but doesn't Justin look happy. We're a blessed family... that's for sure. Happy 4th of July everyone!!!