4th of July ...

It happens every year. We fill the day completely full of fun events to celebrate Independence Day and end up tired and worn out on the 5th!! This year we stayed with tradition … today I’m exhausted from yesterday’s events!!

First Stop ... The day started out early with the annual breakfast at The Van Cleave’s house in Wellington. The kids played … the adults drank Mimosa and we all enjoyed a yummy breakfast.

~ Cris Lance, Josh Bigge and Dwight enjoying their morning cocktails ~

~Makenna clapping to the band ~

Second Stop … morning walk to downtown Wellington for the annual Hillbilly Parade. Not sure what the attaction is but we go year after year to see the parade of “Anything Goes”. It’s an hour or longer event of anything that can be driven, pushed or pulled down main street while someone rides or walks near by and tosses candy to the street lined with young kids. Bruce (my father in law) likes to drive his old car in the parade … this year Justin rode in the car with my niece Amber. Oops somehow I completely missed them passing by therefore I have NO pictures. None the less Justin loved it and was done with his ride in time to still get in on some candy catching. Makenna on the other had stuck to the catch it …eat it stratagy all she had after the morning parade was sticky fingers!!

~ Best of Friends ... Dwight and JC Van Cleave ~

~ Waiting for Candy ... Jackson Bigge, Brody Van Cleave and Makenna ~

~ The Boys ... Ben and Danny our drivers drove the dump trucks thru the parade~

~ Daddy with his little firecracker~


~ uh told you anything goes ... all the kids care about is the CANDY ~

Third Stop … home to prepare for our late afternoon BBQ. The weather was not all that cooperative so we moved the BBQ to the shop. We gathered with friends and family for burgers and beers. The rain stopped just in time for evening fireworks! We watched the Fort Collins City Park fireworks from our back porch! The view is not PERFECT but it sure beats fighting the traffic!

~ Makenna and Ciera Lance ~