This year we celebrated the 4th of July in Gowrie, Iowa (where Jake’s grandma, Ruth lives). It was very much what you might imagine for a smalltown celebration, and it was amazing! 

We started the day with Elayna’s very first parade. She LOVED it. She was so excited while we waited for the parade to start, it was priceless. During the parade she was very into it all. She put her hand over her heart when the memorial flag floats went by, she danced when the music played, she waved at everyone, and she ran and collected the candy when it was thrown. What a great parade!

After the parade we spent the day with some family (Megan even flew in from Portland and totally surprised us!!) and enjoyed a lot of good food and laughs before letting Elayna go on her first festival rides. She was very excited about the alligator rollercoaster, but once she got on there it wasn’t her favorite. She did, however, loooove a flying plane ride that spun around and went up and down. That was her favorite, I think. She also liked the carousel and the little car ride. Many smiles were had at the festival.

Later that night we let Elayna chase fireflies and watch real fireworks for the first time. She was mesmerized.

What a wonderful day. 

It made me tear up when we were sitting and waiting for the parade, because it really took me back. I remember so well sitting with my sister Patti, my mom, and my grandma Elaine, and waiting for our parade. We would set up our lawn chairs out front of our house (since we were lucky enough to be on a parade route) and we would wait in anticipation of the fun and candy that was headed our way. We absolutely loved those mornings spent together, and the afternoons spent at the fair. It was such a clear memory of such a simple happiness that it really got to me…. I am so glad that Elayna got to have a day like that. I hope she has many more. 🙂

Anyway, here are some (read: total overshare!) shots from our day. It was definitely one to remember.