Fourth of July 2011

We had a very busy couple of weeks.  We kicked off the 4th of July weekend with a parade decorating party playdate at our friends, Rebecca & Zoe's.  Every year, the Melrose Recreation Department hosts a parade for kids - kids decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, strollers, etc.  Of course, the moms did most of the decorating at the playdate, and the kids had fun running around and playing.  We were able to get them to pose on their bikes for a couple of shots.  Then, all of the kids decided to take our wagon around the yard for rides, so most of our decorations fell off.  Good times, indeed!

Zach's helping with the streamers

Evelyn wearing her "necklace"

Gabe's suggesting that we use this garland

helping

everyone's decorating

Gabe wanted to wear Zoe's bike helmet

too funny!

photo shoot - Zach's in the wagon with Evelyn & Hendrik on the scooter and bike

the parade gang

Noah, Zoe, Gabe & Zach

having fun!

Hendrik & Noah playing catch

the wagon was a popular ride

not enjoying the toy tractor

The next day, we hosted a dinner for our neighbors, John & Dick.  John, who lives next door, recently lost his wife, so Jason and I wanted to have him over for a meal.  Dick, who lives across the street and lost his wife 9 years ago, is friends with John, so we thought it'd be fun to have the two of them over together - and it was!  They stayed for over 3 hours, telling us stories of their times in the war (WWII and Korean War), the neighborhood over the years, and about their families.  It was a great night.

that's John in the background and Dick on the right

the boys ran around outside (in their pajamas) while we ate

my "tablescape"

On Sunday, we headed to Maine for the day for the Dawson's annual 4th July party at Nanny's in Wells.  Even though it was cold and overcast, we went to Drake's Island beach and had fun playing with all of the cousins.  Gabe & Cameron had a blast playing in the sand and water. 

Gabe played with this wheelbarrow forever

isn't that the best series of Teetee & Zach shots?

looking at a crabbie on the beach

Gabe's riding in the beach buggy

there's Cameron (on the right), lugging the cooler down the beach

they love each other

Early on 4th of July morning, we went to the Melrose Kids' Parade.  It was SO MUCH fun but VERY hot.  I took a zillion photos at the parade.

in our wagon and on our way to the parade

walking to the parade

this little girl's stroller was decked out!

this family made a Stanley Cup wagon

check out the decked out stroller behind our wagon

all lined up and waiting to parade

waiting

here we go!

playing our kudzus

this was the girl behind us - I kept referring to her as a pirate (but she was a revolutionary, of course)

a "tall man" led the parade

our friend, Ella, on her bicycle

marching in the parade

am I having fun, yet?

we're getting hot

check out this bike!

check out this wagon!

the seniors across the street came out to watch the parade

the tall man

we don't know this girl - but she rocked that hula hoop for hours!

our friend, Zoe, doing the hula hoop

Gabe's trying, too

Zoe's helping Gabe



Finally, on the 4th of July evening, we went back to our friends, Rebecca & Zoe's, house for a barbecue.  They live across from Mt. Hood golf course in Melrose, where they have a 4th of July concert every year.  So we had dinner, played, ate cupcakes on the lawn, and then went across the street to the concert.  It was a long, busy but fun weekend!

Gabe and the ladies

he loves this hammock

pretending to be asleep

Zoe's jumping off of a rock

more jumping

Gabe's jumping

coloring

I found a rock!

Gabe laid at the bottom of the slide like this for a long time....

popsicle time!

ready for the concert

cupcakes and a concert!

I love cupcakes!

check out Gabe's legs!

legs again

the band

walking over to the concert

eating my program

Evelyn's clapping (and she was also doing a lot of air directing)

little Zachie!

hugs!

someone's getting tired...

second wind!

rolling on the ground