Independence Day!

I am so glad that we were able to be home for the 4th this year! Ever since I've been a baby it's been a tradition of our family's to go to the Ishpeming 4th of July parade. It was so fun to bring Rylee there this year. She wasn't exactly sure what was going on with all the noises (sirens, bands etc.), the floats, the horses, and the tons of candy that was thrown at her. She was so good. She pretty much just sat in her stroller or Gramma's arms and stared at everything (as you can see in the pictures). I have a feeling next year it will be a little harder trying to keep her from running out on the road after all the candy.

Waving the flag

Our first parade

She looked so cute in her red, white and blue

"What's that Gramma?"

Quincy slept through the entire parade, what a sweetie.

My cousin Tara danced in the parade with her dance team, she did such a good job!

A lot of people go to this small town parade

We couldn't have asked for a better day weather wise. You just never know in the U.P. what the weather is going to be like. This year it was beautiful! After the parade we walked up to my Grandma's house and had lunch with relatives on my mom's side of the family. It was really nice to see all of them again. We stayed there for a few hours and then we headed out to my Uncle Lowell's camp. The Anderson side of our family is getting so big! There were tons of people out there. Even some of my dad's cousins from Arizona and New Mexico flew in for the 4th this year. It was a huge family reunion for us and it was a great to see everyone as always. We had a big bean bag toss tournament, played card games, went swimming, and had a lot of fun just visiting with people. My uncle's also put on an awesome firework show for us that night too!

2008 4th of July Family Picture

(there are some family members missing from the pic but there's a few friends in this pic too)

People hanging out everywhere

Some of the cousins playing card games

Some of the Anderson girls

Rylee loved it out at camp!

Rylee and Daddy

Rylee and Mommy

She had fun playing in the water and sand with Gramma

Rylee and Grady (4 weeks younger) playing together in the pack and play

Holly Sue and Anthony getting some sun

Tyler looked adorable in his beach gear

Quincy all bundled up for the fireworks (him and Rylee both slept through the fireworks even though they were right over us and so loud)

Once again it was a very fun filled 4th of July in the U.P! It was especially nice to be able to be home with family for the whole week, I wish we could do that every year!