Our 4th of July Party & Parade

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS4E5f_kzc8CA6WVbK4yvr9w6O2vSRHEOI5VCZOZRrHS3nLUfVqFIpATg58va1PVo0ZBe_36mu_rtmJigukZTX2DI08DTzQiyN65WOZOYSev05yQa6WcO0MLK_HPxo5tDzUe4AMm6OyTB/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS4E5f_kzc8CA6WVbK4yvr9w6O2vSRHEOI5VCZOZRrHS3nLUfVqFIpATg58va1PVo0ZBe_36mu_rtmJigukZTX2DI08DTzQiyN65WOZOYSev05yQa6WcO0MLK_HPxo5tDzUe4AMm6OyTB/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycQKV4UeBRUbAxnNk9jo6LT8vuqGYJQPJREIWf_e4s4cnpUX2nrWF1jCCOgjTuGN_owc9U6eehFbISsLvf3RGKSi3JJWa13sOh07y_O0QYZf1eyw-zZANvWyyOP12542RMJfI4UbXYS6h/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycQKV4UeBRUbAxnNk9jo6LT8vuqGYJQPJREIWf_e4s4cnpUX2nrWF1jCCOgjTuGN_owc9U6eehFbISsLvf3RGKSi3JJWa13sOh07y_O0QYZf1eyw-zZANvWyyOP12542RMJfI4UbXYS6h/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>There is nothing in this world that makes me more happy than watching Emma play, laugh and be silly with friends.  This was one of those days - when around every corner there was giddy excitement.<br /><br />The entire day was a fun-packed and festive 4th of July - or as Emma called it, her "favorite day of my life."  It started with a little Donuts & Decorating party before the neighborhood bike parade, followed by lunch with a surprise (even to the parents) bounce house and face painting, then off to my parents' house out in the country for a relaxed day of swimming, BBQ and fireworks.<br /><br />The pre-parade party was a tradition we started <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-festive-fourth-decorating-our-wagon.html">last year</a> with just one other family.  This year our crew grew to over 25 with new babies and new friends.  What a year.  We are so blessed to have gathered such a wonderful group of friends and such a treat to share these fun holidays with our kids running around in the grass together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3zqg7AEAMQAuoFbCYDjgbyJ6qW4tWGsciCpCxJ15kFiJJrpta_943kkehWkz3qQ4F6GM4xoKrKj8zYiJBqWaOOO8wQ3HBHFTWkO-4e0jktSSrQPQ7KWGpW3jUBt4eIGvH6qB37ClQOjk/s1600/IMG_2238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3zqg7AEAMQAuoFbCYDjgbyJ6qW4tWGsciCpCxJ15kFiJJrpta_943kkehWkz3qQ4F6GM4xoKrKj8zYiJBqWaOOO8wQ3HBHFTWkO-4e0jktSSrQPQ7KWGpW3jUBt4eIGvH6qB37ClQOjk/s1600/IMG_2238.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />When I was planning the party I had every intention of making homemade donuts.  Then I came to my senses.  As Ina says, there is no need to make everything from scratch when you're entertaining - you're guests just want to have a good time.  And I didn't want my house to smell like a fish fry.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIXBYGxgfyKLEZgZ_jIdaJfZDg0ukcailgZ6FReNIp24nIJnWmSFPM2eWqtw9LPwZmivJ0tK3Xzi1KbT7lhD5o8cpJ4RizDfeDnRtakdbzQIJnBJ6Zoko9FzJl0hbLh3OpvtsDVUDLXXR/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIXBYGxgfyKLEZgZ_jIdaJfZDg0ukcailgZ6FReNIp24nIJnWmSFPM2eWqtw9LPwZmivJ0tK3Xzi1KbT7lhD5o8cpJ4RizDfeDnRtakdbzQIJnBJ6Zoko9FzJl0hbLh3OpvtsDVUDLXXR/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The menu was simple : Piles of Donuts, Fruit and Juice... with Prosecco for the Moms.  I know I said that the Seafood Boil was the easiest party I'd ever done, but I was wrong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQMw2qItXDBGij2Uf26xLjoa-uUYSmZ49zf0k8WG6XXd5scSDw4rsX4OPWCDHiCwuoDqvjZT6e0qnukcuDxVc2bGT9HWqUUD4MrFL4YjzuileXqY4dGtOnA7s0rYILNZU3UYA12-0iSLs/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQMw2qItXDBGij2Uf26xLjoa-uUYSmZ49zf0k8WG6XXd5scSDw4rsX4OPWCDHiCwuoDqvjZT6e0qnukcuDxVc2bGT9HWqUUD4MrFL4YjzuileXqY4dGtOnA7s0rYILNZU3UYA12-0iSLs/s1600/IMG_2253.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We decorated bikes, wagons, strollers and cars (for Emma and Jack).  You can see, Emma is barefoot and busy with her donut and new headband (a gift from her friend)... can you imagine why this was her favorite day?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAagGzmOzH_kA0C-sJzBsYNHCHcHSMnBEkAsyCNR37isE84iurrf-4RTJNYiwsWhYpvaHY_tTpRSDwHsA05XjUZom10_5APGa-jx75PuWliKrGvlME18itHP1QMzxckXfAtETJ5E1IAEyT/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAagGzmOzH_kA0C-sJzBsYNHCHcHSMnBEkAsyCNR37isE84iurrf-4RTJNYiwsWhYpvaHY_tTpRSDwHsA05XjUZom10_5APGa-jx75PuWliKrGvlME18itHP1QMzxckXfAtETJ5E1IAEyT/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Emma introducing her cousin, Sam, to her friends.  Emma's still rocking the headband in her own style - she put it on all by herself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjdxMAVjbnQ3tztL2crgknNogxwZrAD5WzwDOLuFOsi67gU9qEWPrjXWZWX4LX7XrP7gij9HUP4ZUQ2fUGC75mGVLvPKdZrdxeErnHktm0XQsbNBpbd4U5s_mUTD8_laXFyLb3trwuqGx/s1600/IMG_2268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjdxMAVjbnQ3tztL2crgknNogxwZrAD5WzwDOLuFOsi67gU9qEWPrjXWZWX4LX7XrP7gij9HUP4ZUQ2fUGC75mGVLvPKdZrdxeErnHktm0XQsbNBpbd4U5s_mUTD8_laXFyLb3trwuqGx/s1600/IMG_2268.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />And we're off to the parade!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeCeXZgTsbnupeqneBKth0bihOOA_eq7RC3JswFEE0M-NBu3hCOOPzGxJBMScjm41sNE546bUXdKN1iR-DeBGBK8DV9jVrU_XKbHdGiYpZ72WJKLFBW2amrHtrGkXUVsN9huTUoHyQyw8/s1600/IMG_2263.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeCeXZgTsbnupeqneBKth0bihOOA_eq7RC3JswFEE0M-NBu3hCOOPzGxJBMScjm41sNE546bUXdKN1iR-DeBGBK8DV9jVrU_XKbHdGiYpZ72WJKLFBW2amrHtrGkXUVsN9huTUoHyQyw8/s1600/IMG_2263.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />There's that sweet face of my Emma looking very much like her Dad.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvHpXSN2teb70gcfJlCiELwqBCk1BMoZ2SJDbl-IqftgtpBAu1TEOEDtKzhKxhehj-UveXy4FxfAZ9zuqSi5-NE1uoKtw-z-_45BQC3-UNCOw0sWowJsqPqd0qBb_nG486PEVK7KLVMOQ/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvHpXSN2teb70gcfJlCiELwqBCk1BMoZ2SJDbl-IqftgtpBAu1TEOEDtKzhKxhehj-UveXy4FxfAZ9zuqSi5-NE1uoKtw-z-_45BQC3-UNCOw0sWowJsqPqd0qBb_nG486PEVK7KLVMOQ/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Baby Kate along for the ride!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjyb3or0Zl6SzBzC1CLWoJcz37sz22do-nq9VVFnqri3V0XdGdjq_EmyKJajtqNYn6vX2ESnfnsbdaWxVoI8Yxz5Ge0U28_Q9NErznuDU9VZiZQpQoZyDOKzSXNuyXqt9Dbo8ug1kRtWp/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjyb3or0Zl6SzBzC1CLWoJcz37sz22do-nq9VVFnqri3V0XdGdjq_EmyKJajtqNYn6vX2ESnfnsbdaWxVoI8Yxz5Ge0U28_Q9NErznuDU9VZiZQpQoZyDOKzSXNuyXqt9Dbo8ug1kRtWp/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sam's first down the street peddling on her pink borrowed bike from Moo-Moo's house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdl3_31kknM3WaVy63L0ymcR8qRqTW8F7UHallF6MkWQCdvoEXkR3msDeMzol-Rf0xNkEFIlk9MxbZUiUGhlmMHrpesFtrAgOPo6z7DGzX8FEnAMCaod78PjnOdfJHHOhiJprhn99CDqQ/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdl3_31kknM3WaVy63L0ymcR8qRqTW8F7UHallF6MkWQCdvoEXkR3msDeMzol-Rf0xNkEFIlk9MxbZUiUGhlmMHrpesFtrAgOPo6z7DGzX8FEnAMCaod78PjnOdfJHHOhiJprhn99CDqQ/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />The parade is when our neighborhood really shines - so many kids and families.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN-L2-Q-S6aTv3VmVWElN3JhrztCEZgk1pZdq68sODo_V5BOx2toxuzQVEQdMRcViWisrqgsuKpHBqal0qt6X3DZTOvAP4BaKcKZD4SpCa4fj9BG0DNo48ObCMrogTmBkhpkjzLJpg2PJ/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN-L2-Q-S6aTv3VmVWElN3JhrztCEZgk1pZdq68sODo_V5BOx2toxuzQVEQdMRcViWisrqgsuKpHBqal0qt6X3DZTOvAP4BaKcKZD4SpCa4fj9BG0DNo48ObCMrogTmBkhpkjzLJpg2PJ/s1600/IMG_2287.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Emma and Jack cruising the streets in their very patriotic cars... he's got his eye on that balloon!  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXt9GJtRrRGMnJEi2wBF23y1UzAYHt_5OUMo5bQYGGBnkA2CpGetRSL_tUMG4gPcV-Mx3XTWiTSKGE3nMzWz9sfCYL8yBGVm-iFY6WWSBmJc1wzMf1VpkgtoVh_CWjYLJi3zFYGUFOPqAA/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXt9GJtRrRGMnJEi2wBF23y1UzAYHt_5OUMo5bQYGGBnkA2CpGetRSL_tUMG4gPcV-Mx3XTWiTSKGE3nMzWz9sfCYL8yBGVm-iFY6WWSBmJc1wzMf1VpkgtoVh_CWjYLJi3zFYGUFOPqAA/s1600/IMG_2273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We tried to get a photo of all of the girls, again (like in Seaside)... but the girls thought it was hilarious to hide behind their balloons. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhOr2m_3QmygLXipm2iZSJELzSKD7eMyxT8ARfDm_5yFFykC5NKdc_35bVgn4HJdROT3dppaWtbMX0Ek1DzMmis98yA-JDv8P_-9rv5RjFxMZKrGpaQ6Vzs243arVDzo155QBXmIe5NCB/s1600/IMG_2276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhOr2m_3QmygLXipm2iZSJELzSKD7eMyxT8ARfDm_5yFFykC5NKdc_35bVgn4HJdROT3dppaWtbMX0Ek1DzMmis98yA-JDv8P_-9rv5RjFxMZKrGpaQ6Vzs243arVDzo155QBXmIe5NCB/s1600/IMG_2276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Still hiding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaWrd9m1DDdTx5Ruru5FyeHK_YB59a30lHy_QSXJKPfYe69-FEEJblhObnOzWSSGjBKlSIZL-kAh8QVFsVEAdLXDBk07IhxAd9-gMYVKWLtH564Ot_qhSYGgy5AOnZpZhD3bxuhxYVRrn/s1600/IMG_2277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaWrd9m1DDdTx5Ruru5FyeHK_YB59a30lHy_QSXJKPfYe69-FEEJblhObnOzWSSGjBKlSIZL-kAh8QVFsVEAdLXDBk07IhxAd9-gMYVKWLtH564Ot_qhSYGgy5AOnZpZhD3bxuhxYVRrn/s1600/IMG_2277.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />This is what passes as a perfect picture!  This was the last photo I took with my camera - the rest of the day I was too busy watching Emma play and relaxing - maybe my favorite day, too.  Hope you all had a happy and safe 4th!

Our 4th of July Party & Parade

There is nothing in this world that makes me more happy than watching Emma play, laugh and be silly with friends.  This was one of those da...

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Our Festive Fourth | Decorating Our Wagon for the Kiddie Parade

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yvFsURh_dgJgxivi8aNpfVGIjc7S8siOCBW5Gxy_Wr4MrucLkteHWtdjLtX1yLg8764NEGPwWEDrzPgd9TO0r9v_RP_xMi67pZMPj4LuqT4fP9BDMMWOwJGChOYgoNpK8xBQqCw6jOA/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yvFsURh_dgJgxivi8aNpfVGIjc7S8siOCBW5Gxy_Wr4MrucLkteHWtdjLtX1yLg8764NEGPwWEDrzPgd9TO0r9v_RP_xMi67pZMPj4LuqT4fP9BDMMWOwJGChOYgoNpK8xBQqCw6jOA/s640/IMG_9658.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pre-Kiddie Parade Posing </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu37mIP02tMj2JV0oVoRWbWp7BjaDvwYNKtdWMa0Gi8exw-nd9nYcbjr1KnUVVGsqQEa4U6iq73UDQC-lWTAm4UWqTwLC-UIvv1UwYJM06DhadClRti16msmfL7IvkKiTVub2G14buSU/s1600/IMG_9585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu37mIP02tMj2JV0oVoRWbWp7BjaDvwYNKtdWMa0Gi8exw-nd9nYcbjr1KnUVVGsqQEa4U6iq73UDQC-lWTAm4UWqTwLC-UIvv1UwYJM06DhadClRti16msmfL7IvkKiTVub2G14buSU/s400/IMG_9585.jpg" width="311" /></a>When we moved to Fairway (the first time, 5 years ago before our adventures in New England), I loved watching the 4th of July Bike & Trike Parade from our back yard.  I thought it was so quintessential "charming town" - one of the reasons I love this area.  When it was time to move back from Concord, Ma. I knew I wanted to buy <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-before-house-tour-be-kind-dont.html">another house in Fairway</a> - I couldn't wait for Emma to grow up on these old tree lined streets of charming cottage-type homes.  </div><br />One of our couple friends from college (who also did a stint in New England - Maine, to be exact) also picked Fairway as their new home just this year... and they have a daughter one month older than Emma.  They joined us as wagon buddies for the parade and for a donut decorating breakfast before.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMVZwroHPUgMxkDBYkgYMTlNOiFJywLH70RDOBt0sdNRQ-hsEGg7Ad7oTCDm9qEURbd7YI1DyCxV2qXKNVEygSHSnVu3khRWeBpAjH7MR1gOFrKYICsUjYfVkJvMT5jKLLne5MgeooRQ/s1600/IMG_9589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMVZwroHPUgMxkDBYkgYMTlNOiFJywLH70RDOBt0sdNRQ-hsEGg7Ad7oTCDm9qEURbd7YI1DyCxV2qXKNVEygSHSnVu3khRWeBpAjH7MR1gOFrKYICsUjYfVkJvMT5jKLLne5MgeooRQ/s640/IMG_9589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fluffy Fresh Donuts - best in KC so far... We've been doing a Saturday morning donut tour the last couple of weeks. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgNXholjsVHDb1zIfr8rkDEEXcrS2HHGm4CtiiEMS4XsTWrcFXq46yQcGya2rnOEyUKav1no99c8Hmr9s5sSRL6ZOJR2ZovarpZ2F1bH_qt-UrDOWRCiulAlhYlgaUuVLyUUcUAD5Buo/s1600/IMG_9593.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgNXholjsVHDb1zIfr8rkDEEXcrS2HHGm4CtiiEMS4XsTWrcFXq46yQcGya2rnOEyUKav1no99c8Hmr9s5sSRL6ZOJR2ZovarpZ2F1bH_qt-UrDOWRCiulAlhYlgaUuVLyUUcUAD5Buo/s640/IMG_9593.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />Wagon decorating supplies = festive brunch decor<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYVfZoEEg9QDZwZ_MH2vYUBXLqCEVk5ScFI7AmuJFGI5u4OeNZVCMWRE1UghNal8f5-a4ZNvKYAQzfV1xt0Ngi6Q2_rI92qFwDjkFrjw12W6bkVK4gyiqmZnNoOUE3kmKYrkEiPksoiM/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYVfZoEEg9QDZwZ_MH2vYUBXLqCEVk5ScFI7AmuJFGI5u4OeNZVCMWRE1UghNal8f5-a4ZNvKYAQzfV1xt0Ngi6Q2_rI92qFwDjkFrjw12W6bkVK4gyiqmZnNoOUE3kmKYrkEiPksoiM/s640/IMG_9591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Patriotic themed fruit, of course.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BHmeItGurZ9Ib3KWagg61cKBHqbAPeBBHI7qum0p5ze-ZnYG5vakHKdDhm0ljtsA4g-ZHukAmc0m39cR3hjkQjkQuyf-6Ny0-pRFRDeQcruC_KaVxVY3w9ycQ4SiU8_oSU2U-uV1WBU/s1600/IMG_9595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BHmeItGurZ9Ib3KWagg61cKBHqbAPeBBHI7qum0p5ze-ZnYG5vakHKdDhm0ljtsA4g-ZHukAmc0m39cR3hjkQjkQuyf-6Ny0-pRFRDeQcruC_KaVxVY3w9ycQ4SiU8_oSU2U-uV1WBU/s640/IMG_9595.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">A little flag twirling fun.  And now you know how our family room looks most of the time!  The kitchen runeth over.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSGrGxbkruRTDyZ5Q667MpBJlcZD9q1D8kj_xd1-1O9MkXuh8wrO-XvWhHfEm7rgj6iVenpkevaOtybfSRsUxMegbenTZ4jp0MBu6SyZKmUJA5-OzgxLCuYMguXNgD3oRYqxuNQDZqyg/s1600/IMG_9592.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSGrGxbkruRTDyZ5Q667MpBJlcZD9q1D8kj_xd1-1O9MkXuh8wrO-XvWhHfEm7rgj6iVenpkevaOtybfSRsUxMegbenTZ4jp0MBu6SyZKmUJA5-OzgxLCuYMguXNgD3oRYqxuNQDZqyg/s640/IMG_9592.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /> Handmade star wands for the girls made by our wagon buddies.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEgnVFh4jvBikhMF2Nw8hi5EiaunQAvDxo4ZeMN6wxvw4e3G-8CdLdoa-QR3yqwkAaIM3iXxXy-5XQDB5DbCsilWOnJIwFUw0DUmLrxftaq5dTfY3W87spxuTTAKMy3nmGFfQ1rnPOZM/s1600/IMG_9602.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEgnVFh4jvBikhMF2Nw8hi5EiaunQAvDxo4ZeMN6wxvw4e3G-8CdLdoa-QR3yqwkAaIM3iXxXy-5XQDB5DbCsilWOnJIwFUw0DUmLrxftaq5dTfY3W87spxuTTAKMy3nmGFfQ1rnPOZM/s640/IMG_9602.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The chariot awaits.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpTDkovY0dq6EESq511h4Oy_DdAktB921uJx59aeF-0LLZpFtCRBEs_btTWudnfDNpqGlJCBHE8DAIFGrZeBH5T3jkVWh0VWFSM_ezJQntQckFPQV3yeIpZsULfLOVrf3pCQ1dW_-glE/s1600/IMG_9630.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpTDkovY0dq6EESq511h4Oy_DdAktB921uJx59aeF-0LLZpFtCRBEs_btTWudnfDNpqGlJCBHE8DAIFGrZeBH5T3jkVWh0VWFSM_ezJQntQckFPQV3yeIpZsULfLOVrf3pCQ1dW_-glE/s640/IMG_9630.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So much fun!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6-kqEIUXHat33lFeolZ3NytN_8gX-g_yv3V0yPhlhzExvJpkWzuU6sZM2o5Of9jOqdDdZahKTxMvy5CBC0FcTMF34fnaoPrWkrzy7vg4TWriDTqrKyUUWyXLX7-4Gt0C3P0XLNUCl4/s1600/IMG_9637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6-kqEIUXHat33lFeolZ3NytN_8gX-g_yv3V0yPhlhzExvJpkWzuU6sZM2o5Of9jOqdDdZahKTxMvy5CBC0FcTMF34fnaoPrWkrzy7vg4TWriDTqrKyUUWyXLX7-4Gt0C3P0XLNUCl4/s640/IMG_9637.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Heading down to the parade route.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91-CRVMLt4QMCep2_eo-jFoM9zfb9Ndkk6iMvciQqhWc8bbU6XDdfYT_UhK8Y9olLgLywV-dmtFPtMW5VCbejP9iHVCo6RT6kxZtIQk4Gswfa8kVkYB3F94UpvNyyRdkmbzep-t0QJ4A/s1600/IMG_9652.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91-CRVMLt4QMCep2_eo-jFoM9zfb9Ndkk6iMvciQqhWc8bbU6XDdfYT_UhK8Y9olLgLywV-dmtFPtMW5VCbejP9iHVCo6RT6kxZtIQk4Gswfa8kVkYB3F94UpvNyyRdkmbzep-t0QJ4A/s640/IMG_9652.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love how festively dressed everyone is! </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzjQRB_JfycH5W_tprZHYHBT70HwayjtDbS_gK_hTaFQrd56i3W42MWr1Yf4c036le3wODi9n-IMm4oi0qFuOi_CT3v4dn8xw8ZkD_AxTi4kAClpq7-cPYWLER7cyb2SpU5mcyabFvQs/s1600/IMG_9647.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzjQRB_JfycH5W_tprZHYHBT70HwayjtDbS_gK_hTaFQrd56i3W42MWr1Yf4c036le3wODi9n-IMm4oi0qFuOi_CT3v4dn8xw8ZkD_AxTi4kAClpq7-cPYWLER7cyb2SpU5mcyabFvQs/s640/IMG_9647.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />The girls didn't last long in the wagon...  In fact, we brought up the tail of the parade with some running. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nbzk4JuyyZrq-q6wwhtU7zP9RlKoMIo0OZV9kzysY2E08uH58NTW-SX_KNKh-ZzYjNp90VriLGvcfHDlQPilp6gUZbPev7pPc-AlMY2MVzp_nZqv7VqbsLtzpS3EddlMu_9l7L-1AS8/s1600/IMG_9646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nbzk4JuyyZrq-q6wwhtU7zP9RlKoMIo0OZV9kzysY2E08uH58NTW-SX_KNKh-ZzYjNp90VriLGvcfHDlQPilp6gUZbPev7pPc-AlMY2MVzp_nZqv7VqbsLtzpS3EddlMu_9l7L-1AS8/s640/IMG_9646.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Perfect form.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrDIqCYkfAiHZHljEvBrpsCWtKKCnbNNrPzUEBSwLEtkxOS-A3F1h6mDOGJb1dqDRgLZQ-AwQhyphenhyphenmqeu2j5kLHldlNoutR7yOWwgq7Ns4AKooo-C-QZAjZ7Ua15_sIIiz6tlf9_1ny94E/s1600/IMG_9657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrDIqCYkfAiHZHljEvBrpsCWtKKCnbNNrPzUEBSwLEtkxOS-A3F1h6mDOGJb1dqDRgLZQ-AwQhyphenhyphenmqeu2j5kLHldlNoutR7yOWwgq7Ns4AKooo-C-QZAjZ7Ua15_sIIiz6tlf9_1ny94E/s640/IMG_9657.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a good old fashioned Daddy shoulder ride.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3bASPB9AXmgM2Z7KL9Lh5lw-NP7TtFm0aqoLi3rvDkqS5Z43QhyphenhyphenQBolijrhvjuPNEJPf_CAVTkSnd229G97yVCe_1Cjxq9s0T_F6j7KJMLtWtcx2xRNl5RbdM3GeNtaWMOjmx72nwNs/s1600/IMG_9668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3bASPB9AXmgM2Z7KL9Lh5lw-NP7TtFm0aqoLi3rvDkqS5Z43QhyphenhyphenQBolijrhvjuPNEJPf_CAVTkSnd229G97yVCe_1Cjxq9s0T_F6j7KJMLtWtcx2xRNl5RbdM3GeNtaWMOjmx72nwNs/s640/IMG_9668.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />After the parade, we hopped in the car to head across the state to visit my sister for the rest of the weekend.  We made a stop half way at our alma mater... <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSp8NLNk22KOcSkDlQhgK1qTaKfnnnxLVylLCmgRKiH8zQ259Ni-qe2pXbObveOPKMwQnYEMeLPSeo7W0hSNTBF1sJ3Okz2lLAJFQtztyi2FCwfDlW4VNO261Nuc30XlMxh4bjTvyuBY/s1600/IMG_9672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSp8NLNk22KOcSkDlQhgK1qTaKfnnnxLVylLCmgRKiH8zQ259Ni-qe2pXbObveOPKMwQnYEMeLPSeo7W0hSNTBF1sJ3Okz2lLAJFQtztyi2FCwfDlW4VNO261Nuc30XlMxh4bjTvyuBY/s640/IMG_9672.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mizzou!   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq9dpCRUuNyPYJ0v49ZWGqZHTm5rizup-IprSjJ8uTAdTAB6gbmxVw038f_xvkEfpSdrGV0q0T8qbYd0Lk03_af-_tBf1TxLpZWcU5vou2EeW3c4d8gZhhxMPdJGKDMVT-Z5dbs6eThA/s1600/IMG_9677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq9dpCRUuNyPYJ0v49ZWGqZHTm5rizup-IprSjJ8uTAdTAB6gbmxVw038f_xvkEfpSdrGV0q0T8qbYd0Lk03_af-_tBf1TxLpZWcU5vou2EeW3c4d8gZhhxMPdJGKDMVT-Z5dbs6eThA/s640/IMG_9677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was Emma's first of many visits and the perfect spot to let her run after 2 hours in the car. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhDFdves9Fd4gnilzUV8ZRsI6LraJTiHoTtxUFZ8dHlaoP7UA5JefXjOXg53a3s4xtDumGma-_awt7D3AdryNqcOKjN7PXANZD7HhrTYSKu3jH9yKS_Io46nSi0EgLERnTXyZE2-95zw/s1600/IMG_9683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhDFdves9Fd4gnilzUV8ZRsI6LraJTiHoTtxUFZ8dHlaoP7UA5JefXjOXg53a3s4xtDumGma-_awt7D3AdryNqcOKjN7PXANZD7HhrTYSKu3jH9yKS_Io46nSi0EgLERnTXyZE2-95zw/s640/IMG_9683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />We plan to share these photos with her in 17 years... when she is a freshman!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dx48G14AeADx5t9bc9KzvUZ4aHBb4Y2ouYa82usYdbnYijDX_p4wcblNWinccnqnd6SDu4kg5DYr6xa6q4ZbcLaLDR3jKaxcyTwDsDOIp7b1l4FCWLH3n7Ok5b3NabhRJRiDhFT5bxQ/s1600/IMG_9699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dx48G14AeADx5t9bc9KzvUZ4aHBb4Y2ouYa82usYdbnYijDX_p4wcblNWinccnqnd6SDu4kg5DYr6xa6q4ZbcLaLDR3jKaxcyTwDsDOIp7b1l4FCWLH3n7Ok5b3NabhRJRiDhFT5bxQ/s640/IMG_9699.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stay tuned - tomorrow I'll post photos the 4th of July shrimp boil we attended at Jill's house! </div><br />

Our Festive Fourth | Decorating Our Wagon for the Kiddie Parade

Pre-Kiddie Parade Posing  When we moved to Fairway (the first time, 5 years ago before our adventures in New England), I loved watching th...

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