Well the 4th of July was a great day for us in the Krelle household. We started of the day just waking up whenever, which was nice. We took the morning kind of easy. Eric had some getting ready to do for the Ralston Parade. His group was participating in it this year, which has become somewhat of a tradition.
My Mom, Tatum and I went to watch. We walked into the area with our friend Rich and his son Gregory, who is a boyscout. It was nice to be able to chat with them before they took their places in the line up. We then headed to a great little spot for us three to watch out for Eric. It was so much fun to take Tatum to see all fun patriotic folly! As you can see in the pictures she really enjoyed herself. I am impressed that she did not get scared of any of the clowns or the noise. She also took the heat pretty well. We left just short of the end of the parade, as I wanted to get Tatum home to make sure she got in her nap. We had a big day ahead of us still.
After her nap ended we, Eric, Tatum and I headed over to my parents house. My Dad cooked up a nice smoked brisket, corn on the cob, cole slaw, garlic bread and beans. Man was it good. Eric commented that he is glad to be part of the Sherman family, because you know the food is going to be good. Especially when Jack Sherman cooks it! We played some lawn darts. I won the first round and then Eric won the next.
We then headed over to the Truitt's next door. Tiffani, Nick and the kids were out in the backyard playing. Tatum had a good time playing on a climbing wall, sliding and swinging. It is so much fun to see her with other kids. It was especially surreal for me to see my daughter playing in the same backyard that I did as a kid, with one of my best girlfriends kids. We didn't have the camera, but it was a picture perfect moment.
We headed back to my parents house and watched the other neighbors do some fireworks before packing up for the big firework finale of the night. Unfortunately my Dad was not feeling well and decided not to come. That made me a little sad as it is just a family tradition of ours and him not being there was sad. Half the fun of it all is my Dad and his driving us there and back...woah!
We got downtown and decided to head to a different spot than usual. We went to Bancroft Elementary School. I think that it was a great call. We found the walk to be so short and the atmosphere was so family friendly. We got some ice cream from the ding-ding man. Tatum really got into eating hers as you can see. I enjoyed it as it was the first time I have ever had anything from the ding-ding man.
We kept Tatum entertained with some glow bracelets, which she loved. She also got a kick out of seeing some the fireworks that people nearby were lighting off. The hour and a half wait was not as bad as I thought it would be. When the fireworks were about to start up we told Tatum and she was so excited. And with a countdown from 10 to 1 the fireworks began.
As we were laying in bed recounting the day Eric told me he felt like it was the most All American 4th of July...and it was.
