Fun is...

...dressing up in cowboy costumes for VBS (Annie didn't officially attend but she wore a costume anyway)

...helping lead the singing at VBS
...tagging along with the big kids every night to Gold Rush Mining Camp (i.e. VBS)


...and then being so tuckered out you can't keep your eyes open for the short car ride home


...being invited to a pirate birthday party
...putting together costumes for your kids from your costume stash

...watching your daughter dress up in your old costumes

...marching in the 4th of July parade with friends to celebrate a birthday (our country's and a special seven-year-old's)

...waiting for the parade to start while enjoying otter pops
...watching the parade from the only open spot on the sidewalk (in front of the port-a-potties)


...standing next to a storm trooper (we're still arguing about whether it is a storm trooper or a clone trooper)

...seeing the Batmobile up close
...watching a seven-year-old get the special thrill of riding on a car in a parade with the "Tangled" soundtrack playing as a birthday present from her cool Aunt Rachel
...4th of July parade with people cheering, the audience spontaneously singing "Happy Birthday" as we passed, being escorted by the Star Wars color guard...
...proudly waving your American flag

...getting to follow the cool antique tractors (a little stinky but very quaint)

...passing out candy while Beth rides circles around you on her unicycle

...tiger masks and balloons
...oh no, not fun...losing your balloon and watching it drift into space

(heartbreak)
...a surprise Storm Trooper attack

...spraying yourself in the face with cool water after a long (actually short) parade
...walking back to the car with smiles on your faces and all the candy passed out (actually, all the candy was passed out a third of the way into the parade route by our eager candy-passer-outers...oh well!)
...4th of July grub eaten outside in the cool Monsoon weather
...homemade 4th of July decorations
...friends and family to celebrate with at your own home in the land of the free, home of the brave! Thanks to God and to all those who serve this country and keep us safe and prosperous!