July 4th

I hope everyone had a great fourth of July! We had a good ole American Fourth of July - minus the homemade ice cream. (In our four moves it seems like the ice cream maker didn't make the cut. I knew I would miss it one day.) Anyway we started the day with a parade in Fairfax. I thought it was just going to be a small little thing, but it was complete with the Redskins Marching Band,


a Thomas the Train balloon,


and of course the Fairfax County Nursing home. Seriously though, how cute is this??


We all had a great time watching the parade, but things went sour quickly when little boy got hungry and did not catch any candy. (Note to self: Bring candy to the next parade and throw it to my son.) So we headed to Potbelly for lunch.

Here is Jackson and daddy watching all the parade fun before he decided he had had enough. (Another note to self: Get to the parade early, so we can sit down in front. Then maybe Jackson and daddy will last longer.)


We had some friends over to grill out before we headed downtown for the fireworks. We love our new deck and have been using it a lot lately since the weather has been so nice!!

Kelly, Meg, and Baby Caden hanging out while Mark cooks the burgers which were yuuuummy!


Then it was finally off to see the fireworks. Jackson was so excited all day that he kept asking, "Is it time?? Is it firework time yet?" Oh my if I only had a quarter for every time I heard that . . . .

Jackson kept waving his flag all night waiting for the fireworks.


This is the best spot we have found to watch the firework show. We ride the metro to Arlington Cemetery, cross the Memorial Bridge, and sit to the left of Lincoln. It is never too crowded and you actually have room to spread out.

Here was our view to the right:


And FINALLY the fireworks!!


I will leave you to look at the following fireworks. Please keep in mind that they were not taking by a professional!