HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

THE FOURTH!!!!

I can't believe the 4th of July has already come and gone! (Neither can Tyler, above).  Out here in ApxWorld the 4th pretty much represents the midway point of the summer, and I still feel like I just got out here to Pennsylvania.  We had a really fun day, starting with the Canonsburg Parade.  Somehow the rumor got started that Canonsburg had the LARGEST parade in the nation, which, needless to say, created quite a bit of anticipation.  After arriving, however, it became quite clear it in no way held that title.  We later found out its very prestigious title was actually the "2nd largest parade in Western Pennsylvania".  At least it had some ranking I guess.  It was not the best parade, but the weather was great and we had a lot of fun.  So much in fact, that the poor family sitting in front of us commented that we girls "really know how to enjoy a parade".  What can I say?  I tend to be loud by nature...

The parade crowd.  I can see why we would draw some attention, (by attention I mean moms turned completely around in their lawn chairs staring at us...), you don't see groups of youngish girls out here ever!  I don't know what they're all doing, but apparently going to the Canonsburg Parade was not on their list...L-R: Rach, Kara, me, Erin & Olive, Kaitlyn, Karen & Haylee, Nicole, Katie, Jess & Jack.

 

 

Here's a little taste of the what the parade had to offer...a cool child-size van and a weird clown/riding an ostrich suit.  I wish I had some pictures of the Canonsburg Cheerleading squad, but unfortunately I don't.  

 This was my favorite part of the parade.  I love the founding fathers.

Me and Haylee make a lovely 4th of July ensemble (as far as colors go).  Her shirt is amazingly darling, so you'll have to keep going to see it....

Luckily our resident Canadian had plenty of American spirit for the 4th.  Good job Rach!

 

Haylee's first sucker experience...I love love love her shirt!  Red, White, and Cute!

After the boys got home, the real partying started.  We had our own little firework show in the street, and thankfully no one was killed even though the boys did every stupid thing they could think of with lit fireworks.  It was really fun...

Rach was crazy with the fireworks...brave little girlie...

I, however, was anything but brave.  But did manage to have a lot of fun with my sparkler!  Notice the carnage we wrecked on the street behind me.  As a side note, we did sweep up all of the trash afterwards.  I wouldn't suggest using a kitchen broom on the street, it does practically no good.  

Some boys.  Enjoying the 4th.  Ty, Kevin, Nate.  Omar.

Kaitlyn got a huge cooler filled with ice water dumped on her!  I could not believe the injustice of sweet little Kaitlyn being targeted, but Jake informed me that it was because she had been shooting Roman Candles at everyone all night.  Fair enough I guess?  And Rach and I after the festivities!

I've been trying to not post so many pictures of Misfit lately, but I had to include this one because he had a rough 4th of July.  We went to a movie after the firework extravaganza, so we didn't get home until really late, and little Fitty was in his room by himself all night.  It was clear when we got home that the explosions he heard outside terrified him, he wouldn't leave my side and was soooo cuddly.  He never sits with me anymore, and he sat on my lap all night and didn't want to leave.  His ears were also back...which is a sign he's scared :).  That's enough about that, but I felt bad for the little buddy so I was cuddling him and made Ty take a picture.  We had a great 4th of July, hope everyone out there in the blogosphere had a great one too!!!