fourth of july

i really need to let go of my memories from minnesota celebrations; dark skies with a 25-minute display of colorful fireworks - joyous.  fireworks make me smile, and what a treat when they're accompanied by music, right?  well, here's my beef: alaska doesn't do dark in the summer, and please, will someone explain why the fireworks were done on the 3rd???  some of us (ME!) expect and want fireworks ON independence day! 

aaand, rant over.

with the gloom and rain, we toughed it out to take in the festivities in willow.  last year, we were up that way because i participated in the willow freedom 4-miler with parade to follow.  i had planned to run it again, but backed out at the last minute - my desire to run did not outweigh my desire to have wet, soggy husband and 2 children waiting in the rain.  but.  like my mom's always said, if you don't like the alaska weather, wait 5 minutes.  by the time we reached willow, the rain had stopped and sun was trying her hardest to peek out from behind the clouds.

we took our time getting ready in the morning, full-spread breakfast, coffee stop on our way north, and we even convinced papa paul and auntie lory to join us.  we arrived just before noon, and parked in a great front row spot for full parade access aka prime candy-catching location.  last year, jack was very apprehensive about jumping out there to pick up candy, but this year, he was all about it, little sister included.  we got quite the haul of suckers, bubble gum and tootsie rolls, (which i quickly stashed for myself.)

after the parade, we walked over to the community center where a bbq was held.  however, the kids were more interested in playing at the playground and throwing rocks into the lake.  who needs burgers and hotdogs when you have a bellyful of sugar?

 rock skipping lesson by auntie lory.