4th of July!

Thank goodness for a holiday!!  I sooo needed a day off of work.  Luckily, my house had a pretty good view of the firework display from the nearby church parking lot, so we didn't have to fight the crowds to go watch the show.  However, it stays light until super late this time of year, so we waited and waited and waited, hoping to hear the loud booms, so the tired and cranky pants kiddos could get to bed.  Finally, after 10 pm we saw the first fireworks light up the sky.  By that time, the girls were so incredibly tired and ready for bed, that we decided not to stay.  They were just plain pooped, so we went back home and retired to bed early.  It was still a fun night, cuz I got to be with all the people I love!

Here we are driving the block away to go see the fireworks...hours later...

McKel is really taking a liking to Mike :)  My heart melts

It was very difficult to get a good shot of all 4 of us in the dark, with squirmy little ones... this was the best we could do...but its the first photo I have with all 4 of us in it.  I tried to modify it with my Camera+ app on my phone, to make it a little cooler.

The next morning (July 4th), I signed up Mike and I for the Patriot Border Run, up in Lewiston.  It was a small little 10k, but not one of my shining moments.  For some reason I was not feeling that 'it' factor, that makes you feel like you can conquer any athletic feat.  My body felt dead.  I think the fact that they did not have any hydration stations until the very end of the race did not help.  At one point I ran in to someone's yard who had their sprinklers on, and gulped from their sprinkler a bunch of water, just to keep going.
Despite my weakness that morning, I was still glad we participated.  I love doing activities like this with my love.  He's pretty amazing at everything.

Not the greatest shot of me, but a great memory!

After our run we headed over to my parents' neighborhood annual 4th of July breakfast.  Here Arleen, McKel, and I scarf down some delicious pancakes, eggs, and bacon!

My sweet McKel, who always manages to get more food on her face and on the ground, than in her mouth ;)

Mike and Avril, looking very patriotic :)

Dad always volunteers to be a breakfast cook for the event.  Here he takes a break to hold his granddaughter.  Good times :)

A cute red, white, and blue couple

Role switching:  Avril decided to push mommy on the swings.  She was so proud of herself for pushing mommy so high!

The girls wanted to stay all day on the swings, they had such a blast :)