Fourth of July

We had a really fun 4th of July! We started out the day by going to a parade and then headed off to the St. Paul Rodeo and carnival. Well, we actually didn't go to the rodeo this year. Instead we decided to head back after a long day of carnival rides and head over to Fort Vancouver to watch fireworks. BIG MISTAKE!! Derek and I decided that in years past we have been firework wimps so we were going to prove how hardcore we were by braving the billions of people at the Fort to see the best fireworks ever. WRONG! By the time we fought through all the traffic, found a parking space 20 blocks away, and hiked to the designated watching spot, the fireworks were about ready to start. The girls were already really tired from the long day at the carnival and weren't in the best of moods, but we finally got settled. The fireworks started and all of a sudden we realized there was a small forest of trees in the middle of this huge field that we hadn't seen since it was pitch black out. Derek and I grabbed the girls and started running through the crowd to find a place we could actually see the fireworks so the girls could have the complete experience. After missing the first part of the show we finally found a little spot in the crowd to wedge ourselves into. It's at this point that we realize the girls don't really care because they aren't even looking at the fireworks, but watching other people and trying to go to sleep. In case anyone out there is planning on going to the Fort next year to see the wonderful firework display...don't. Hey, at least we made a memory!

We started out happy. Here is Derek with the girls anxiously awaiting someone from the parade to throw them some candy.
Ella and Boppa (Grandpa) at the parade.

Ashley and Nanna (Grandma) at the parade.

I even had the chance to wedge my fully grown adult body into the tiny little kiddie roller coaster carts so Ella could go on the ride.

Ella thought it was great fun for the first part, but then decided she didn't like it anymore. Then when the ride stopped she started crying again because the ride was over. Our girls emotions are often a lot like this roller coaster!

Can you believe they let Ashley on this ride? Actually, can you believe I let her go on this ride? She was dying to go on it so I told her if the carnival people let her go on then she could. I knew she was way too short so I wasn't too worried, but the crazy carnival worker waved her through and then I felt too bad to back out! So here are Ashley and I on the free fall ride. She LOVED it!

Ashley had soooo much fun on these rides. Her cousins came too which just made everything that much more exciting.

Some more random pictures of the girls at the parade.

So we don't have any pictures of us watching fireworks because there wasn't any time to take any as we were running through the crowds. But here is the happy family at the beginning of the day at the parade.