A Rockwellian Fourth of July, Just Like Daddy Ordered

Michael's all time most favorite holiday is July 4th. I think it was inevitable growing up in Brockway, the capital of all thing Old Fashioned and Fourth related. Really, he feels very nostalgic about the 4th in Brockway, and it makes his heart swell with Rockwellian patriotism. Personally, it makes me think of drunk rednecks, but, apparently I was not given my rose-colored glasses at an early age! Anyway, as much as possible, we try to trek "home" for July 4th every year. Most years we picnic, hit the local art show, see the firetruck parade, and see the fireworks. This year we managed to do all those things except the fireworks. Colin and Gillian can only be pushed SO far before the meltdowns begin!

We had a nice picnic at Grammy Lynn and Grandpa Frank's house on Saturday. It was a rather large gathering, due to Jessie Bean's international contingency joining us, as well as some other friends. Jess invited a fellow art conservancy intern, Hye-Sung, to travel to Brockway with her; she also invited her college roommate Liang and her husband Michael to drive up from Pittsburgh to experience the festivities. We were happy to meet them after hearing such nice things about them.

Colin was especially pleased to meet Hye-Sung. It was LOVE at first sight! Colin LOVED her! He was all smiles and giggles for her! Gillian wasn't having the best day ever, she was a bit grumpy. It turns out she was coming down with her first cold, as did Colin the next day. Anyway, Michael took lots of pictures!

Lightening McQueen showing off his speedy crawling skills in his patriotic duds:


Gillian wearing her first hair accessory. Amazingly, she left it alone all day long. Daddy thought it was pretty silly though. He just doesn't like girly-girl stuff on his little Bean!


Mama and Bean:


Colin catching a ride on Uncle D's shoulders. It's pretty high up there!


Relaxing with Grandpa on the porch swing:


Gillian's turn on the swing, this time with Linda:


Mr. Colin and Mr. Joe.


Mrs. Kathy getting her baby time in!



Bean the Elder and Bean the Younger:


Playing with Daddy during the picnic:


Colin with his International Girl Friend (Hye-Sung is from South Korea). It really was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!!
Hye-Sung reading Colin his favorite book: "Peek-a-Who?"


Smiles!

More Smiles!


After nap and dinner, Daddy and I took the babies downtown to catch some of the Firetruck Parade. I call it the Firetruck Parade because the parade is almost entirely composed of Firetrucks, if you don't count the Poop Trucks and Politicians. It was rather chilly, so I'm glad I thought to pack sweaters. I did forget to pack socks though! We didn't last too long downtown before it was time to head home for bed.

Colin wasn't super thrilled with the sirens. He liked the trucks and tractors, but not the loud sirens. He needed some cuddles.


Colin and Grandpa Greg watching the parade (I don't have any pictures of Gillie, but she was cuddling with Grandma RoRo.). Please forgive the Notre Dame windbreaker; Colin did.


That was the end of our Good Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration. All four of us were in bed before the fireworks were over!

The next day Jess and Hye-Sung stopped by to gift the babies some awesome books from Canada and get one last cuddle in!




Sadly, Colin neglected to get Hye-Sung's phone number. He is crushed.