Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Proud to be American

Happy 4th of July!

Since Chris & Sarah had to leave (sniff, sniff), we didn't have much time for an all-out patriotic shindig.  So we were quite pleased to happen upon a neighborhood parade.  The parade consisted of one fire truck, a gaggle of children on bicycles being chased by their parents, and dogs wearing Statue of Liberty costumes.  That was it.  No candy.  Lasted about 15 minutes.  And it was the most perfect thing imaginable for our toddlers' gnat-sized attention span.

The highlight, by far, was the free American flags that were passed out. 



Even my parents thought the flags were pretty fab.  Or maybe they are just holding a flag because I told them to in order to make my picture look more authentic.  You can decide for yourself.


The #2 most awesome thing about the parade was the fire truck.


Especially at the end of the parade when the kids got to sit inside it and climb on the back.




There are few ways for the family photographer to actually be in any of her photographs.  That's why she digs reflective surfaces on fire trucks.


Unless of course there are kind people who aren't intimidated by the size of her camera or the size of her family and are willing to attempt to take a family picture.



Hudson, Sarah, and I apparently didn't get the memo that you're supposed to wear red, white, and blue on the 4th of July.  Oops.  We claim that our gray represents the color of the soldiers uniforms.  Or we just claim mommy brain & sleeplessness are responsible for our gaff.


I've noticed that since we've been in the States with the boys, I get really sentimental about the "All-American" things we get to do with them.  Things like Schlitterbahn trips, family reunions, and 4th of July parades.  It's not that I don't value the international childhood they're experiencing, but these sorts of things are so reminiscent of my own childhood.  Plus watching them enjoy it all makes me wonder what their life would have been like had they stayed in Ethiopia as orphans.  And that makes me praise God all the more.


2 comments:

Brandon and April said...

so fun! makes me miss parades!!
Micah looks sooooo big in the family photo! Where has your little toddler gone?!?!

Carrie said...

Such patriotism in your gray attire...thinking only of the soldiers. Anyone can do red, white, and blue. Way to remain outside that box my friend. Glad you are getting some good men guo time.