Free to be a Family!!

From Parks to Fireworks, it has been a full day of greatness. We have enjoyed today as a family so much. It was the perfect day (as you can tell from the pictures).

This morning we went to the park and walked on a trail around the water. It was quite hot but we found some shade for a while and there was a breeze. While seated under a tree and resting, Mili thought she needed to stick her tongue in my water bottle in order to cool off. As gross as it may seem, Mommy let her do whatever she wanted with the my water (including pour it on her). Mili loves being outdoors more than anything, however, she started getting sleepy so we left the park. She fell asleep in her car seat (which is finally in the car, instead of the floor, because it finally stopped raining enough to get it hooked in). So while Mili was sleeping so peacefully, we went for a drive out to the country. We drove about two towns over to a more country location just to see what was there.

After our drive we went home to eat lunch. We all took a nap later in the day. We then had some family play time with Mili. Mili loves to have both of us home and have all our attention. She has been a perfect angel today.

Finally we ended the day with going to Brian's work to see the fireworks. There were between 500 and 600 people that showed up there. While driving to the Brian's work parking lot, there were many people that had camped out on the side of the road. There were people every where (at park and ride parking lots, at the mall parking lot, on the lawn of the fire station, on the lawn of the hotels, on apartment lawns, outside the fence of Brian's work, and many other places). We picked a place on the lawn and set up camp (Mili in her stroller and Brian and I in our chairs). We were joined by a guy, and his family, that works with Brian. This family was also at the cook out a week or two ago. We enjoyed time with them. The fireworks scared Mili a little at first but she soon found her spot, in her Daddy's lap. She enjoyed the rest of the show right there. The fireworks lasted about 25 minutes and were wonderful. During the fireworks, I found myself thanking God for the freedoms we have and for the people who gave their life so I could live mine to the fullest. Wow....what a sacrafice for many husbands, wives, children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and friends to loose their loved ones. It is quite a humbling thought.

We wanted to go to DC today but were very glad we didn't when we heard about the thunder storms that were so bad with many people having no place to go to get out of the rain (lightening and hail). Next year we may go to some of the reherseals the night before (they tend to be less crowded but you still get to see the stars that will be singing).

We had a fantastic day!!! I could not have asked for more. The best part was it was all free!