4th of July Weekend

 We tried out a new fireworks show in Lee's Summit on July 2.   It was at a sports complex with different parking lots for soccer/football/baseball fields.  Each parking lot had a bouncy house, face painting, concession stand, etc.  The fireworks show itself was set to music on the radio.  And after it they had police at every corner directing traffic and they made roads one-way to get everyone out quickly.  We were very impressed.

I can't remember a 4th of July where I was cold enough to wrap up in a blanket.  We watched the show with Hannah on my lap and Olive on Steve's lap and a blanket over all of us.

The morning of the 4th we did our annual neighborhood parade.  They girls treat the 4th like Christmas.  They were looking forward to it all week.  This was the first year Olive rode a bicycle and she did a great!  She was so proud.  She said it was the best day of her life.

She wouldn't let me get ahead of her to take a picture.

Hannah designed her shirt.  It's a firework.

New this year: snow cones!

Then we headed to Chillicothe.  We stopped by to see Granny and Papa, but they are always busy with the fireworks stand.  My family was all in town to celebrate Independence Day as well as my dad's retirement (independence from work).  My aunt and uncle came over to see the gun show fireworks show.

Meneely tradition: dancing to the strobe lights

And we rounded out the weekend by picking peaches.  I have many memories of taking rides in the bucket with my grandpa driving.

Independence Days of Yore: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014