Fun Filled Fourth

Despite Catonsville, MD being a hot spot for 4th of July activities, this was the first 4th of July in a LONG time we did something 4th of July-y.  It is always so dang gone hot in Maryland, so we opt to do nothing.  I really hate when my knee pits sweat...

This year it was a glorious day in Ocean City!  After a rainy/cloudy few days, the sun was out and all of Ocean City was decked out in red, white, and blue.

"Mr. Independent"

We started off our morning with goodies from Dots Bakery.  We rarely eat anything sweet for breakfast at our house; therefore, a sprinkle doughnut was heavenly to Evie.

Hannah, on the other hand, knows the goodness of a
sprinkle doughnut and was happy to take anything Evie didn't
lick off her plate...  But Evie ate every. single. sprinkle.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a BLIMP!!

After dozens of attempts at pictures of the kids...

...we high tailed it to the bike parade.  Apparently you just show up before it starts, grab a number, and march yourself down Central Avenue.  Maybe next year for this crew

We need to get G and Poppop in the right
colors for next year

The best part was the firetrucks at the beginning

Waving to the Miss Night in Venice girls.  

Evie and her hero, Poppop

Some fun floats among the bikers

After the parade, we hit the beach!  Or some of us hit the sand right behind the house :)

She even had her colors correct on the beach

That night, we bundled up (yes, it was freezing!) and walked 30 seconds to the beach to watch the various fireworks up and down the coast.  Uncle Sam took the night shift at the house with the sleeping little ones.  The booms weren't loud and there was no patriotic music going, but it was so neat to be on the beach at night with hundreds of other families dressed in hooded sweatshirts and wrapped in beach towels.  After the fireworks ended, someone started singing God Bless America.  Every one chimed in.  It was a memorable experience, thank you G for making us do it!