Holiday Weekend

 Summer is officially here!  Or is it officially half over now that we're past the 4th of July?  Either way, the past few days have felt very summery and our little family has had a nice holiday weekend.

 Although it's starting to pick up at work, the late planting this spring allowed me to have the 4th of July off.  Yay!  I did have to go back in on Friday the 5th, however, so we spent the holiday at home.  My sister's neighborhood has a parade and potluck each year, so Natalie and I went to join them.  The day was beautiful!  The "parade" is actually the entire neighborhood walking together around the block; no floats and less than a handful of spectators (no one watches because everyone is in the parade).  So Natalie and I joined the walk and she was in her first parade!

 After the parade we sat in the front yard people watching and then went to the potluck.  After I ate it was nap time, so Natalie and I headed home for a little siesta.  That afternoon my sister and her little girl came over to "swim" in our kiddie pool.  The girls had fun splashing in their cute little swimsuits.  It was a pretty low-key day, but it was very nice.  The weather couldn't have been any better and the company wasn't too bad either.

 Friday was a short day at work and that evening we had a friend over for some much-needed visiting and catching up.  We walked to the end of the subdivision and watched the fireworks--it was perfect.  Great view but not too loud.  We had watched some the night before from our bedroom window; from that height we could see several different shows in the comfort of our pajamas.

Today we headed to my grandpa's for a family barbecue.  My sister and her family and our parents came as well and we had a nice visit.  Grandpa and Helen hadn't seen the girls since shortly after they were born--they have grown so much!  We came home this evening and even though I have to go in for a few hours tomorrow, it's nice feeling to know I have another day of my weekend left.  We should have more holidays.  I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th!  Happy Independence Day!