In the last 5 years since we moved away, only once have we been able to spend the 4th of July back in my little Utah home town- Huntsville, where it is well known that the earth's best Independence Day celebration is held each year. It is small town Americana freedom day perfection, and we have pined for it every time the 4th has rolled around without us there.
Well this year we'd had enough pining. After making fruitless online searches for anything similar within driving distance of Memphis, we decided we'd create our own small town celebration complete with parade, breakfast in the park, face painting, and old fashioned games and booths.
Well, it was a near perfect day. (Perfect in the usual tired kids, scraped knees, sticky faces, slightly stressful but still lovely sort of way). We had over 80 friends come to join in the fun (and help in planning and running everything!) and I'm hoping this will become a yearly tradition.
Some (many) photos from our day:
Sadie, Max the clown, and Stephanie rolling by.
Lady Liberty Lucy, Miss Maryanne and Dani.
All the Wilson Women (Caleb was still rounding at the hospital, but he arrived in time for breakfast).
(I borrowed this picture from Katie. Thanks Katie!)
A pouting Amelia Earhart in her plane and some of our fantastic breakfast crew Sarah, Alicia and Ben.
(I borrowed this picture from Katie. Thanks Katie!)
A pouting Amelia Earhart in her plane and some of our fantastic breakfast crew Sarah, Alicia and Ben.
My friend Sheri led the kids in a patriotic mini land-grab in the form of musical chairs and then a limbo line. (Jane elbowed her way to victory in musical chairs and I sadly did not capture that moment of awesomeness on camera.)
The big race.
Olivia and Charlotte ready to race, and Emme sharing licks with Lucy.
America, I love ya so much. So grateful for all it means to be a part of you. Happy Birthday.
Friends, I sure hope you had a wonderful, patriotic day spent with people you really like. Happy 4th of July.
12 comments:
Looks wonderful. I know at least half of those great people! I love that Park, though I can't remember it's name. So green and lovely. Way to go!
Glad that it worked out! Looks like so much fun. Also, I LOVE Olivia's dress. :)
I love it. You got some great pictures. Olivia was just too adorable in her little old fashioned dress and peddling her tricycle as fast as her little legs could go. I can't believe you got a single picture! I didn't see you with your camera once. Just saw you doing all the behind the scenes stuff to make this thing so awesome. Thank you for doing this Kate!!! Everyone loved it.
I love Olivia's dress next to Charlotte's dress--it's like Orphan Annie cartoonland on the fourth of July--it makes me happy!
I love that you did costumes ala Grover parade. And three legged races are another thing that makes me happy! Especially the competitive faces you and Caleb have on. The whole thing looks like awesome.
I bet your Grandma Hale was cheering from above.
You did Hunstville proud to be sure! Did you dip-dye yours and Emme's shirts? They're cute. What a memorable day you created for everyone. Consider yourself high-fived ;)
That was just amazing! The games and the location...and I loved that EVERYONE was dressed in red white and blue. Remember when that was so important when you were a kid? Well done, Kate. Well done!
You are AMAZING! What an incredible undertaking that looks as though it was executed flawlessly! I will say it again, AMAZING!
Kate!
Ok--I think we will come to Memphis next year for the 4th! (We miss you guys!) Looks like so much fun!
I love that you went ahead and created your own little Huntsville (but from what I can see, even better!). You guys are the bomb.
wow. I am way impressed. Good for you! Glad it was a great day for all!
And when did Olivia get so gigantic? She is SO grown up all of a sudden! My goodness she is a beauty!
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