Proud to be an American

For the past few years we always went to the Everett 4th of July parade. We have become less and less impressed by it and were ready for something new. So this year we decided to try out the Bothell parade. I have always been intimidated by this one because people set their chairs out on the parade route a few days in advance. Luckily there is one side of the street they don't set chairs up in advance so that is where we found a place to sit...and it was great!

We arrived for the parade about an hour early in order to find a spot to sit and also to meet up with our friends the Mitchells. Thank goodness there were free snacks getting handed out or I am not sure how we would have entertained the kids for so long! Before the real parade began there was a kid parade that lasted what felt like forever!! Lots of kids riding decorated bikes, parents pulling wagons and some people just walking with their kids (some throwing out candy). Of course my girls are all about this for next year...especially the giving out candy part!!!

Free popsicles for the win!!

The Mitchell kiddos and our girls

Little miss sassy pants Brielle

Free chips and water was nice too!

Waiting for the parade to begin

Cammy's friend Daison was in the kid parade!

Photo opt before big parade began

After about 45 mins of the kid parade the real one started. It was great! It lasted almost an hour and a half, but there was TONS of candy being thrown, fun groups and to end there were dancing horses, which Brielle was over the moon about!! We had a great time at this parade and will definitely be back again!

They were both into the parade this year

This girl LOVES horses!!

After the parade we went up to my parents' house for a bbq dinner and fireworks. This has become a favorite 4th of July tradition for us as the lake is a happening place to be for a fireworks show (and the drive back home is even pretty amazing as well).

S'mores on the BBQ

Thank you Pinterest for this fun firecracker jello dessert

S'mores

We bought a bunch of fireworks to shoot off in the condo parking lot and then left Hailey and Cammy at my parents' for a sleepover and so they could stay up and watch the fireworks on the lake from my parents' living room.

Hailey was brave doing sparklers more this year!

Two at a time for Cammy

Selfie break while daddy sets up a "big" one

Sparklers for me!

And a sparkler for Jason

Ready for the "big" one to go off

The girls helping Jason set up a firework

Brielle tried the sparklers!

All set up for a sleepover and fireworks show on the lake

4th of July is by far my favorite holiday! 

I love parades, wearing red, white and blue, BBQs and fireworks shows!!