4th of July weekend!

We had a very nice weekend.  It was sort of busy, but in a good way. 

Sunday was my 42^nd Birthday. Eeep!  We went to church, and then out to lunch.  The afternoon was quiet.  After supper, two of my scrappy friends (Carrie & Lisa) came to scrapbook for a little while, and another friend (Michelle) popped in to visit for a little while (she just moved to our neighborhood so she didn’t scrap this time).  It was a nice end to the day.

Monday started EARLY!   Of course, I overslept.  LOL  Sorry LouAnn!  I helped my friend LouAnn set up and sell at her booth at the Craft Sale.  We had bunches of yummy goodies and sold all but a few things!  YAY!!  She made almost $500 to add to their “Bringing Home Jeremiah” fund.  Not a bad haul!  WAY better than mine last year.  LOL 

We also went to the Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast.  Kati participated in the Talent Show, she sang “Traveling Soldier” by the Dixie Chicks with John accompanying her on his guitar.  She did a wonderful job!  I tried to video tape it but the camera died!  Grrrr!!

Later in the day was the parade.  John marched in it with the Southeast Iowa Honor Guard (fire fighters).  Timothy LOVED the fire trucks and sirens!  He kept yelling “Dad” hehe  I can’t believe he associaes John with the sirens/trucks already!  He’s so stinkin smart!  The other kids got lots of candy & were VERY nice with sharing with Timothy (I kept him in the stroller since he is a “runner”). 

After the parade, we came in and had supper (brats & hot dogs!) and just hung out for a bit.  My BFF Stacey came over and we all headed out around 8 to get our spots for the fireworks.  The band that was playing was good too, and the kids had a ball dancing!  Hehe  I bought some glowsticks and light thingys for the kids to play with while we waited.   We had a little snack of popcorn, and then it was time…

The fireworks.  Oh my!!   West Burlington truly has the very best fireworks display in the county and this year was no different!  It was beautiful!!  The kids had a great time, and Timothy yelled, and hollered, and clapped, and jumped up and down… he had so much fun!! 

This year means so much more when I think of the word “freedom”.  I love our country.  I love being an American.  I love living in my “little” hometown where they know my name at the bank or the pharmacy.  I am so happy that now Timothy is free and can enjoy all of those things with his family.  He may or may not understand all that that entails, but just having him here, where he has the same opportunities that we have, and he can be what he wants to be, and more importantly, what God wants him to be. 

Here are a few snaps from the day:

Our own personal "hero"...Daddy carrying the hachet in the
Honor Guard

Timothy hanging out before the fireworks!!

Ham... I mean, Olivia... waiting for the fireworks too!

Glowsticks & Lightup thingys

Lightup thingys & Glowsticks! hehe

Fireworks!  Woohoo!!

Happy 4th of July!!