Happy Birthday America!

I love the 4th of July! Even more so since I have
been reading and studying about our founding
fathers. What wise men God blessed this country
to have as it's founders.

Normally, Ian would have been with Jenna and
I as we wait for the annual San Carlos Park
parade. But, this year he had to miss. He was sick
all week with a high temp brought on by bronchitis.
So, Jenna and I headed our for 4th of July traditions
while John stayed home and took care of Ian.


Most years, it is soooo hot. This year was a switch,
it rained on my parade. Of course I did not come
prepared with an umbrella, but Jenna thought my
yoga mat would protect her just fine.


Nothing says small town parade like pick up
trucks decorated in red, white and blue.


Jenna thought these crazy rides
were pretty cool. They were so
tall!

This is Jenna's favorite part of our parade

adventures.

Sand art...it was a pain-staking process picking

out just the perfect combinations of colors.

The final product!

The other piece of our July 4th tradition is

actually on July 3rd. We always attend the

Miracle baseball game which is always followed

by fireworks. Usually this game is sold out but

due to the rain...that lasted all day...most of

the seats were empty this year.

Even though Ian and John couldn't make it,

The Gavin Family did come. It was an extra

special treat because Renee and Mrs. Gavin

came too! Renee is usually working when Shawn

and The Girls come down to visit his Mom, so we

rarely get to see her . Don't they all look like

they are really enjoying the game??? This was

the first baseball game for Shawn's girls so I

enjoyed teaching them the basics of the game.

Here is Shawn's mom, you couldn't see her in

the other photo because she was hidden behind

Hailee's umbrella. I hadn't noticed how much

Shawn resembles his mom...same cheeks, same

smile....until I posted this picture.

Jenna did not enjoy sitting in the

rain. Thankfully, it finally stopped

some where around the 5th inning.

Carlos Bel Tran (from The Mets) is down in the

minor leagues doing some rehab with St. Lucie.

He popped out each time he was up to bat.

Due to the rain, the game started about 1.5 hours

late. Then, due to an injury, there was a 30-40

minute delay during the game. All of these delays

added up to us actually seeing fireworks on July 4.

They weren't set off until around 12:15 am. But,

they were well worth the wait!

Despite the rain and the late fireworks,

it was a fun night. I was glad The

Gavin's came to help us celebrate.

As far as John and Ian's night went,

they ended up having a good time too.

Jenna had the idea to buy one of the

packs from the grocery store for

The Boys to set off while we were

gone. Grammie came over too

so they had their own fireworks party!

"We hold these truths to be self evident,

that all men are created equal, that they

are endowed by their Creator with certain

unalienable rights, that among these are life,

liberty and the pursuit to happiness. That to

secure these rights, governments are

instituted among men, deriving their just

powers from the consent of the governed. That

whenever any form of government becomes

destructive to these ends, it is the right of the

people to alter or abolish it, and to institute

a new government, laying its foundations on

such principles and organizing its powers in

such form, as to them shall seem most likely

to effect their safety and happiness.

.....And, for support of this declaration, with a

firm reliance of the protection of Divine

Providence, we mutually pledge to each other

our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. "

Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776.