Happy Independence Day

I know I said it last year and I say it often, but I adore the 4th of July. It is by far the best holiday from beginning to end!
The pics are out of order but I can't figure out how to coordinate it so that they are sequential. Oh well.
We started our day in Auburn at their festival which once again proved itself to be one of the best. That evening we went out to my friend Mem's house on whidbey Island again. I so look forward to it. On the drive home last night I found myself beginning to look forward to next year.
Mem's brother was there also, I haven't seen him in about twelve years. He's all grown up now and great with the children. They would take turns choosing one for him to light and then they would all walk to the wall seperating the lawn from the beach. John would light it while the children would get in position and then John would yell "Run for your lives!", or "Save yourselves!" and they would all take off running and then dive or do cartwheels at the blankets. We tried to get Riah to go to sleep, yeah right. What was I thinking?

I love him dearly, but I still maintain that he looks like a monkey :)

Mem and I, friends since I was about sixteen. We have been through a ton together. she was my maid of honor and tried convincing me to climb out the window and we could just drive off right before my wedding. She has been present at three of my births. I like to say she is one of the only people who knew me before I was me. Wouldn't trade her for the world. Besides, she has an awesome place to escape to for the 4th. The property looks out at the sound and you can see all the ferries come in, you can also watch all of the cities within an hour of Seattle light their city displays. the neighbors on either side must spend thousands on fireworks, they light huge ones and they go on all night.


Last year at Pioneer days both children won the pie eating contest and this year they did the same thing. They both won in their age division. when asked what the secret was I said "We starve them". :)

Seri licking her plate after being declared the winner. Notice everyone else is a boy and they are all still eating.





They had a ton of inflatables and the children played on them for a couple of hours. This was a huge tornado slide and Riah was really wanting to go on it. I was a little hesitant at first but Matt said let her try. True to form and to the experience we have had with her siblings at just under two years of age, she has no fear. She went straight up the stairs and then down the slide all by herself, and then did it again and again and again............

Her other "no fear" sibling at the top of the rock wall,
and doing flips on the bungi jump.

It was fun to sit at the bottom and listen to all the other parents wondering if she would actually be able to do it. We have been through this a time or two before.....

Here she comes, she is at the top left corner.



We weren't prepared last year for the bike parade, but we were this year!!!!