Celebrating the 4th of July

We hope each of you had a wonderful 4th.

Bummer for us, Derren wasn't able to celebrate with us. He was in Colorado looking for for our new house. The good news is he found one, and we should be able to fit in it!!! We're all very grateful this should be the last of Dad's solo trips for a long while.

The kids and I celebrated by going to the Riverside, NJ parade in the morning, and watching the fireworks in Cherry Hill with Aunt Mechelle in the evening.

The parade was fun.

Alyssa's favorite part of the parade was the Mummers.

Josalyn liked the candy that was thrown.

I think Katey's favorite part was the attention she got because of the Wonder Woman cape she was wearing.

Levi loved the drums, trucks, and dogs.

I loved the nap I got to take afterwards.

The fireworks were funny this year, they lasted a total of (about) 15 minutes. Since it was drizzling outside the technicians decided to light them all off at once. I have to admit, those 15 minutes were quite spectacular!

Levi had his first sucker as he watched. First he tasted... and then realized he liked the taste a lot!

On our way to our car, a lady was rushing to beat all of the pedestrians out of the parking lot. In her rush she nearly ran over our stroller with Josalyn and Levi in it. Luckily, I was able to get to the front of the stroller fast enough to slap her back window and get her to stop. The girls were pretty spooked by the event. Josalyn said, "I would have been frustrated if that lady had killed me Mom." It really was scary, but I couldn't help smiling at Jossie's response.

We love you all!!!

I am so proud of myself, I've posted three times this month!

We are trying to do as much as we can in the time we have left here in Jersey. Here are a few of the things we've done this month.

We went to Sesame Place.

We went to the Ocean City beach or, as a true northeasterner would say, the shore. Levi loved it there, NOT!

After a couple days of rest, Katey and Alyssa treated our family to a day at the Six Flags theme park (they earned tickets through a reading program). The kids loved the park, but I think Derren was the one who was most excited. He rode the Kubla Kan roller coaster which goes up 485ft. and speeds from 0-128 mph in a matter of seconds. Alyssa said, "Boy, I'm sure lucky I'm too small to ride on that one." I feel the same way.

I turned 31.

After twenty-some years, Derren finally finished school!!!!

As you can see, he's feeling pretty proud of himself.

Levi tried his first sloppy joe, and loved it.

I finally got to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty!

Perhaps no one else will think this picture is great, but Derren and I thought it was fun to see an Indian family with baseball caps on in front of Lady Liberty.

We'll be in Colorado soon, and can't wait!!!!!!