Our 4th of July

Rob and Kate woke up extra early and went to the Balloon Festival. I decided to stay home and let Andie (and myself) sleep in. She's not been sleeping well, she's teething, and has been waking up several times a night. They got there pretty early, and were able to help set up one of the balloons. They gave Kate a pin for helping. Kate thought the balloons were pretty cool.

Once the balloons were all set up, they let everyone walk through them before they take off. They stopped to pick up some doughnuts and orange juice, but Kate fell asleep on the way home. We transferred her to her bed, and she slept until it was time to go to the parade.

This is my niece Sara and her Papa (my dad) at the parade. The girls had a fun time at the parade.
Andie and her daddy at the parade. She did NOT want to be held. She wanted to be down walking around. Sometimes she's just a little too independent!

Andie was hot, tired, and ready to go home! It was really hot! So we went home before the parade was actually over.

At home Kate and Sara decided to play "dress up." Kate was the Princess Mommy, and Sara was the "baby." Kate explained that babies are naked and that's why Sara was only in her diaper.


The girls took their naps in the afternoon, and then we took Andie to Elle's house. Elle is a GREAT babysitter here in my neighborhood, and no, I won't give you her number!!! :)

Rob, his mom, and I went to a BBQ over at a friends house to make a quick appearance, and then we headed to Stadium of Fire.

Kate had a blast at Stadium of Fire. She got to sit with "Christy's Kids." Really they're Christina's kids (a lady Rob works with at the Pharmacy). And she got an American Flag, which she thought was pretty cool, and which is still on our car.
They told stories of families whose dads' were serving overseas. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by a 12-year-old girl whose dad is in Iraq. The cool thing was that they had it played via satellite so her dad could hear her. It was pretty cool. Then a lady whose husband is in Iraq got to talk to her husband via satellite as well. They showed various clips of families on the day their loved ones left for Iraq. It was heartbreaking to watch a newly married young woman yell out "I LOVE YOU!" to her husband leaving for war. It makes me thankful that I have my husband here with me, but even more thankful for those who fight to defend our country and the freedoms we enjoy in America.


Corbin Bleu performed. I had absolutely no idea who he was until one of "Christy's Kids" told me he's in the movie High School Musical. Guess I'll have to see the movie. Brooks & Dunn also performed. They were awesome, if you like country music (which is about all I listen to anymore amongst the endless kids songs). I was so disappointed when they were done and they hadn't sang their song "Only in America." Thankfully they came back for an encore and ended with it. Kate was on my shoulders waving her flag like it was going out of style. It was great! I could have gone home happy right then. Then came the fireworks. They were awesome! The first set was choreographed (is that the right word to use here?) by a little boy who won an essay contest about what he would do if he could choreograph the fireworks. It was fun to see a smiley face that turned into strobe lights.

Then Disney did the next set. They played Disney music, of course. Kate had fun. When she recognized one of the songs she would tell me what movie it was from.

The final set of fireworks was set to all Patriotic music. It was great. Very moving. It ended with the Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and My Country Tis' of Thee. A great ending to a wonderful night!