4th of July

We kicked off our 4th of July with a pancake breakfast and flag ceremony at the church. Here we are waiting in line for our pancakes. (The cute boy in the BYU shirt is not a new brother for the boys, just a friend who joined us in line. Didn't want you to get any ideas.)

I love an excuse to wear my star pants. Partly because they are just crazy and fun and partly because Mike is embarassed by them. They are just a little too festive for him. ( =

They gave out flags and kazoos to all the kids for the kid's parade. Good thing, or my boys would have never made it through the program.

I love all the evergreens here in Washington. They are a perfect backdrop for the flag flying out in front of the church. We had perfect 4th of July weather. It was the most gorgeous 4th since we've lived here. This was our fourth 4th here. Last year it rained.

One of the men from church is a fireman. He had his work buddies bring a truck for the kids to check out after the program. Aaron was in heaven.
I found some glow in the dark sticks at Target, 15 for $1.00. (I love the dollar isle at Target.) Anyway, they were a great hit as we waited for the fireworks to start. The days are so long here, the show starts at 10:15. It was a late night for the boys and church came early.
A cute story about Luke. I handed him the glow sticks and told him he was in charge of handing them out to everyone. I told him there was enough for 3 each. His eyes got really big as he looked out over the crowd and said, "Mom I don't think we have enough. Some people won't get one and they will be so sad." When I said everyone, he assumed EVERYONE. (There were hundreds sitting out on the grass with us.) I told him I only brought enough for the people we came with and were sitting with. He was conservative and just gave everyone 2. Then he went around and gave as many as he had left to all the kids sitting near us. It was really, really sweet. One lady came up to us and wanted to pay us for them, she was really touched that he just wanted to share with as many as he could. (Of coarse I didn't take her money. What, charge her a quarter?) Next year I'll have to buy more.