Food, Fireworks, and Fun Runs......

The fourth was full of traditions for our family. Last year I started the tradition of running the local rotary club 5K in the morning. Tyson wasn't a runner last year, but my friend Marlene was so she and I ran it. This year, Marlene had to go and have a baby, so luckily Tyson has become a runner so I had a running mate...at least for the first 3 steps until he way out ran me. I think last fall was the last race I'll ever beat him at. My sister Jamie ran it with us too, so she was more my speed. My time was slower than last year, probably because I only run half as much as last year. Here we are pre-race...I figured it'd be a prettier site than post-race. (Thanks again mom for taking the kids so we could do this!)

After the race, it was a dash to Tyson's mom's house for breakfast before the parade, both being traditions. Breakfast was yummy and the parade was HOT - again, a tradition. We were the unfortunate recipients of chair theft at the parade, so we're down several camp chairs, but it's all worth it, right?

Tayler was so afraid of the street and cars at the parade that he had to be held or be left on the blankets behind. All three of my children have been deathly afraid of streets and cars. I think I must somehow be causing psychological trauma in the way I teach them to not go in the street. I'd rather it be that way than the other - kids running in the street with no fear.

So, after the parade we went home for a much needed nap for Tayler and whoever else wanted one - me included. It was awesome to take a nap in the middle of the day. We then took off to dinner at my parents' house, another tradition. The food was perfect for a hot day. Yum! My mom bought all the walking grandsons Cars crocs and gave them to them at dinner. They were a hit!
Our final tradition is fireworks in the same spot we've been for 25 plus years. Tayler was a little scared of the fireworks at first, but learned to love them quickly. And with a mouth full of candy, who wouldn't love it!

And here's Tanner snapping a "Pop" in his fingers..

Tayler watching the fireworks a long way off at a neighboring city..

And here's my crazy niece Kami at the fireworks - she's always making faces like this! I couldn't pass this picture up.
And finally, the real deal - the fireworks and kids watching them: