4th of July (and a few from the days before)

Nathan has a new favorite holiday, and he even made up a song to go with it!  "Happy 4th of July, happy 4th of July," is how it goes.  We attended the 4th of July festivities the next town over, since they have the biggest parade (and our town doesn't do anything until the following week).  He still has a love/hate relationship with fireworks (loves watching them on Youtube, hates hearing them at night), but I did too when I was 3 years old!  The parade was great, everything from fire trucks, tanks, vintage cars to politicians.  Nathan's favorite was a concept truck with doors that pivot up parallel to the truck, rather than out.  He talked about it for days!  Our friends who live along the parade route gave us tips and tricks on seeing the parade and hosted a great party.  Afterwards there is a concert and fireworks, we may aim to stay for that next year!

All dressed up for the 4th!

Nathan getting a good vantage of the parade.

Our friends showed us how to get front row seats, Nathan's friend Scotty in the bacground.

Attempted self-portrait.

Nathan with his flag that he got for making a $1 donation to the parade fund. 

Attempted family portrait.

The gathering on the lower common for the post-parade concert.  It was a beautiful day, and a perfect evening for the concert.  The fireworks were upstaged by a lightning storm though!

On our way home after a fun evening...

I am tacking on to this post a few pictures from the days before the 4th.  The boys and I went to a local sprinkler park, the first time for Alex.  Nathan wasn't so sure of this park last year, but couldn't get enough this year!  Alex had no problem getting in on the action though :) The next day we went raspberry picking at a local farm.  Tasty fruit, and a few fun activities too!

Alex cozying up to the water!

Nathan dancing around.

Nathan sharing the "fruits" of our labor.  "Alex, the dark red ones are ready to pick."

Checking out the cow train.  Nathan kept asking for it to "go", but I had to explain it needed a tractor to move.

Giant spiderweb to play on!