The 4th

We had a great 4th this year. I've been very behind in my blogging to it's taken me a bit to record it, but it was splendid nonetheless. The festivities really began on the 2nd when Glenn and I got a sitter and went to a Red Sox vs. Astros game. We were hoping to rid Glenn of the "curse" of never having attended a Red Sox game where the Sox have won. Luckily, our odds were very good when they were playing the Astros. It was a fun night. Fun atmosphere. And of course the Sox were victorious which made for a very happy Glenn.

On the 4th we went to a little parade in Kingwood. It was a good time. Wicked hot, but we found a spot in the shade and it started early so we didn't feel like we were melting into the pavement until near the end. Glenn entertaining Tate before the parade started:The beginning was a bunch of old cars and Tate and I picked out a bunch of characters from the movie "Cars" which he thought was pretty cool. Here are Glenn and Tate with Mack the truck.

Glenn scored him a few free things, a flag, mardigras beads.However, I can say with absolute certainty that the highlight of the parade for him were the multiple lollipops he ended up with! Better than Christmas.

I think the highlight for Glenn and I was watching this funny lady, seen here cooling herself off from all her exertion. She was hilarious. She was very intense about getting the freebies from every float offering them. She had her little goodie bag and would walk in the street along the floats getting goods from everyone on the float throwing goods. She was out there competing with a bunch of little kids...the best part, there were no kids even in her group. Just her. Getting lots of free candy. For herself. It was like a sport to her. Hilarious to watch.

By the end of the parade we felt like this:

And we were ready to get home for some AC and Tate's nap time.

That evening we met up with the Gardner family, some of our best friends here. Sadly, they're moving to Denver next week! I can't think about it too much. It stinks. Not only are Jen and Steve wonderful, but they have sweet twin daughters, and a little boy just older than Tate. They play nice together and Jen's been a great friend. They invited us to join them for their tradition of going to the Miller Outdoor theater downtown for the Exxon sponsored symphony and fireworks. It was wonderful. The hill was completely crammed but we found a great spot, sweated out the wait until the concert, and had a great time. Jake and JoAnn and family, cousins from my side, were in town for part of the summer and they came over to spend the night with us. Here's Jake and his little girl Jayla

And cutie pie baby Michael.

It's been so nice to spend a little time with them this summer. Their kiddos are so sweet and fun to watch. They play sweet with Tate and JoAnn sure is fun to talk to. I wish we'd been able to spend more time all together with both of our families but both the guys were pretty busy working. Here's our whole group waiting for the concert.

The kids played on the blankets, ate way too much candy and snacks, and had fun listening to the music too, I think. Here's Tate "playing the trumpet" with the symphony.

John gave it a try too.

We adults enjoyed the good music and fun conversation. There's something about patriotic music that makes me so happy, so proud. We sure live in a wonderful country and I'm very proud of it and this was a wonderful way to celebrate it.

The concert ended with the 1812 overture, complete with cannons, which Tate loved, even though at the end of the night he, and the rest of the boys, were looking like this:

Then a great fireworks show. Thanks Exxon. So much fun! I think it may well become a tradition. Happy Birthday America!