Happy 4th of July!

We had such a fun Fourth of July weekend - but, I have realized that Fourth of July with children = lots of fun things to do and lots of tired children! (and parents!!) Our weekend was full of activity, but the only pictures I got were from our actual 4th of July and the Marietta parade. We walked in the parade with my dad and it was a lot of fun. Rhodes was passed out in the stroller for most of the parade and Ali was a little grumpy (may be more fun for her in years to come!), but we still had fun. We went straight from the parade to a cookout at our bank with friends, to naps, to pooltime with more friends, to fireworks at another friend's house! We had to skip a few stops we were supposed to make due to naps, etc - only so much you can do in one day! And, boy, did the Patrick crew sleep well last night!!

Here are some pictures from the parade:

Ali, gearing up for the parade, sitting by Hadley

Ryan ran in the Peachtree and then made it back for the parade! He is my dad's campaign manager and worked hard on getting everything ready for the parade and I wasn't 100% sure he would make it back for the parade, but sure enough he did - before our float even got moving!
Our sweet friend Ella Kate - sporting a Tumlin shirt.
Our girls...ready for the parade!

Ali walked a little bit, got on the hayride with the other kids for a little bit, was held by a few different people and rode in the stroller. Wasn't quite sure what to think about the parade!
Towards the end of the parade.... Rhodes is sound asleep and Ali was not so happy. (Walking in a parade can take a lot out of a 2 year old!!)
Happy now at the cookout at NorthWest Bank - with her friend Little Mimi!
Dance moves with Little Mimi
They loved the balloons.... I think we were the last ones left at the picnic at this point.
The only other picture I got - about 10:00 last night - leaving the Bullington's after the fireworks. The girls were so tired!! (Rhodes is already in her pjs!) Ali was not so sure about the fireworks this year, while tired Rhodes just sat back and watched. I'm pretty sure she did not fuss one time yesterday - even though she was lugged from one thing to the next! She really is our little trooper!! Ali did great too - but the fireworks scared her a little!! As soon as they started, she covered her ears and clung on tight to me telling me she wanted to go home - but, as soon as they ended and she knew she could relax without the loud noises, she immediately turned to me and said "Mama, that was amazing!!"
Happy 4th of July!!