Fourth of July

We had a full day for the Fourth of July. We started off bright and early. We had to be at the Coupeville Elementary School at 7:30 a.m. to get Andy and James registered for the Sea to Shining Sea 5k and 10k Fun Run. (Well, let's just say MOST of us were there around 7:30, some people slept in a little longer and didn't arrive until well after 8. You know who you are!!) Andy and James both decided to run the 10k. This was truly a fun run, with the official timing being the football scoreboard. No timing mats, with high school volunteers to help direct the runners on the route (heard they weren't always that helpful, with signs being swung around, etc.). But they made it and Andy came in first place.Here are the confident runners before the race. It was funny that James is always the one that says he's going to win the race, but the night before this race Andy says something along the lines of 'I'm going to win this race', and he did! Way to go Andy! I would also tell you how great James did on this race but I'm going to leave that to Holley now that she has a blog, so check it out!Here comes Andy through the cheerleaders.I don't know how he runs so fast, but he does. It's amazing to me! He ran the 10k (which was really 6.5 miles, not a true 10k) in 42 min. 58 sec. at an average 6:32 pace. (His best pace was 5:21! Just amazes me! My pace is about 3 times as long as that!)
Here are the guys after the race with the kids who happily cheered them on!

After the race we went home only to let Andy change and shower and then we headed off to the Oak Harbor parade. It, unfortunately, was not a great parade. Too many political people and not enough fun stuff, but the kids enjoyed waving their flags, getting candy, and seeing the fire trucks, (one) tractor, and old time cars.

You may wonder why no pictures with Ayden? She wouldn't sit still long enough!

Here are the boys waving their flags. What patiotism!

Here is Ayden with her flag. Her flag waving was a little more wild, but no less enthusiastic.

What a cutie!
After the parade we headed back home to let the kids sleep and Holley and I got our work out in. (We are still going strong!) Then we had a wonderful meal of ribs, corn on the cob, potato salad, baked beans, cole slaw, and two different pies! It was so good! We ate until stuffed and then went out in the back yard to play baseball and kickball with the boys.

Then we left about 9:30 to go watch fireworks downtown. This is the first time we have gone to fireworks since we had kids. The first year I thought Tate was too young and then the second year Ayden was too young. This year was perfect and they were both a great age to enjoy them.

Notice in the picture below that Tate is wearing a pilot hat that his Grandma Wyman got him. For some reason before we left he put it on and wore it almost the whole time we were there. Not really sure why he looks so startled in this picture either!

Here is Ayden at the fireworks, she was sitting on my lap but decided she wanted to sit by herself instead. She was completely mesmerized by the fireworks. She is getting so big!

Getting ready for the fireworks to start.

We had a great Fourth of July! In fact, we've been so busy lately that Tate has now started to ask me where we are going the next day every time he goes to bed. He seems to be disappointed when I tell him we're going nowhere!