Independence Day - Murray Parade, BBQ, & Swimming

We sure enjoy going to the Murray parade every year.  My dad got us our family spot and so all we had to do was come and pick our chairs.
We were the first family there (besides my dad) so we got first pick.
Kevin, Sherri, and Julie's families all came to the parade too.  Then Lloyd and Margie came and joined in with us with the cousins.  We were one big happy family!

It was a good parade with lots of entries.  The kids got tons of candy, like usual.  Megan really got into getting candy this year.  She kept cheering and yelling "Over here, over here".  It was pretty adorable.  She was motivated by all those yummy treats.
It warmed up quickly and we were ready to go back to my parents house after the parade was over.

The kids love playing with their cousins.  We got back to my parents and the kids started playing right away.  While they played I went with Julie and Boyd and Sherri to the store to get Averee her birthday cake.
Once we got back it was time to get ready for lunch.  After it was all ready we all had our fill of yummy BBQ burgers and hot dogs.
My parents got out their pool and filled it up and the kids really wanted to swim.  I didn't bring swimsuits for the kids so I let them swim in the extra clothes that I keep in the car, if they wanted to.  Allie wanted to swim but she didn't like all the big kids splashing around so she never did get into the water.  She is very picky and stubborn (luckily she is very cute and sweet too).
The other three kids got into the water and had a wonderful time.  They are all little fish in the water.  They all loved jumping into the water from the deck and seeing who could make the biggest splashes.  Conner and Hayden did the best and biggest splashes.

The kids all got out of the water to have cake and ice cream.  It looked delicious.  The kids played more with their cousins while I cleaned up and chatted with Betsy.  It is always so nice to be with family.  I love the 4th of July and all our family traditions!