Celebrating the Fourth of July (and my mom's birthday, too!!)

This year we again went to the 4th of July parade in the town I grew up in (since we head to my mom's after for a picnic anyway!) Last year, we got there at 9:30 and had no problem finding a place! of course it was dreary and misting! This year my m-i-l, s-i-l, and niece got there a few minutes before us and boy, what a differnece in the crowds! We were lucky to get our spot!
L-R Tucker, Eileen, my mom, Cassandra, and Doreen


Some assorted shots of the parade.

These are one of the many water trucks from the local fire departments! They had a great time taking on the kids/grown-ups in the crowd brave enough to challenge them with squirt guns! Care to guess who won?! LOL)

something about bagpipes always makes me teary

The Governor's Foot Guard

Cassandra and Tucker wait for candy...she turned out to be our secret weapon against the boys next to us who kept going in front of Tucker to get the candy. All she did was step up and they backed off! It was kind of funny!

Always my favorite: the fife and drum corps!


The parade was great, the weather was awesome, who could ask for more?!
From there we were off to my mom's (down the street) to celebrate her birthday! It was a nice sunny day but very breezy...

Doreen cooked for us and we ate inside...


Happy Birthday, Mom!

Posing with Tucker (in his googles!)


Opening the Willow Tree Angel we gave her


Tucker was the only one who braved the pool-here he is jumping in!