Fun on the Fourth

Yes the 4th of July was weeks ago, but work has been busy! Bryan and I have been trying to take better advantage of where we live - hikes in the park, local restaurants (very occasionally!), attending some of the local concerts, and finally, our first visit seven years after moving to our city, to the Catonsville 4th of July parade!

 Bryan and Kellen enjoy the Sunday night Lurman concert!

The 4th was hot but that didn't stop us from speed walking two miles up to our reserved seats for the parade with our friends the Hollywood's. Noelle and Bryan went ahead to make sure the chairs they set out the week before were still safe and sound and we all met them about 10 minutes before the parade started. Then we enjoyed the next 90 minutes or so of firetrucks, bands, cars, and floats. There were bands from as far away as Canada in the parade, pretty impressive for our small town! We all enjoyed ourselves (Kellen a little bit less - he was a bit hungry and tired!) and when it was over we walked, slightly slower, back home.

 Hydration is important on a hot summer day!

 Noelle pointing out the fire trucks, her favorite!

 Kellen wondering what all these people are doing...

 The Orioles car!

 One of our favorite floats

 And what parade is complete without the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile?

At home we grilled out and had a great dinner, finished with Nicole's famous ice cream sandwich cake, reduced fat version! Then I put Ellie down for a late nap, telling her she could only go to fireworks with me if she slept a bit first. Well that didn't quite work out so well since she wouldn't wake up when it was time to go to fireworks. Bryan and I watched them on TV.  Next year we will be true townies and hit up the fireworks as well!

Here is our little family of 4 celebrating the 4th! I love this bunch!