Independence Day!

We started our day with a lovely festive breakfast--red smoothies, red white and blue baked oatmeal, and scrambled eggs with cute little flags to spruce it all up.  By the way, if you've never tried baked oatmeal, you should.  It's delicious--more like a fruit crisp than real oatmeal.  

 

Madeline and Camilla both saved their flags and wore them in their hair.  I bought this little flags for the Fourth last year, but when the fourth of July came around (last year) I could not find where I'd put them!  They were later found and put to good use this year!

 

Flag ceremony to celebrate our independent country!  And, FYI, my dear Kevin has such a desire for independence that he has diligently worked and slaved and finished paying off our house last month.  No more bondage for us!

Six of my favorite little Americans!  (Their dad is my favorite big American!)  The dog belongs to the neighbors, but happened to be around for the photo.

 

We went to the parade in Albion--it's short, sweet, and provides candy.

 

Mari loved the parade.  Except the fire engines. 

 

We had some friends from the ward over for dinner and I made these cool layered drinks I discovered on Our Best Bites.  They were awesome!  Red, white, and blue liquid layers. 

 

Isabelle Schott--isn't she the cutest!  She spent the whole evening carrying the cats around, brushing their fur, and giving them rides in the little wheelbarrow.

 

Aurora loved having all the girls to play with.

 

Poor Ethan was the only boy--with eight other girls to chase him around all night long.  He might enjoy it more in a few years!

 

Sparklers.  . . 

 

Scared of sparklers . . . 

 

Scared of sparklers . . . 

 

Usually scared of sparklers, but getting braver. . . 

 

And pretty much okay with sparklers.

 

And you can tell by the smoke how hot this sparkler is!  Sorry ladies, he's already taken.

Happy Fourth everyone!