Fourth of July

For the 4Th of July this year we met John-David's brother's family, Richard and Jenny, in Skippack, PA for a parade. Skippack is a little town half way between Philadelphia and Bethlehem and one of the only places that we knew of having a parade.
(Sorry for the doll showing her backside. It was the best photo of the kids from the bunch.)
Unfortunately John-David had to work so he didn't get to make it down there with us. Kelsey didn't mind though because she found the lap of Aunt Jenny. She loves saying Jenny's name.
The parade was worth the drive. This was Jocelyn's loot from just half way through the parade. The people on the parade route were passing out candy, necklaces, beach balls, pencils, bottles of water and some little toys. Jocelyn thought is was particularly wonderful because people just walked up to her and handed her handfuls of candy.
Jackson was taking a low key approach to the whole thing nd sat in his chair with his sunglasses on just watching the parade go by. Sometimes he would get up to get a piece of candy but mostly just hung out in his chair. I wondered if he was having fun at all but he did announce that it was the best parade he's been to. I guess he just wanted to be Joe Cool that day.
After the parade we went to a park for lunch and let the kids play on the playground. We got the call from John-David that he finished work so we headed up to our house for swimming and a BBQ. our neighbor graciously allowed us to swim in her pool. The kids thought this was great. It sure beat the freezing cold water from the hose at our house.
This is cousin Eliza exploring the pool via a few float tubes. The goggles were a hot item amongst the children and aren't they cute?
Kelsey and Tabitha decided to work on their tans instead of hitting the pool. Kelsey ventured in at one point with her float tube but all the splashing from the bigger kids and the dads scared them away.
Dad teaching the art of using a mask and blowing bubbles.
This is what Dr. Black looks like with his mask on while in surgery. Wouldn't you want him for your doctor?
After swimming we had a BBQ of hamburger, hot dogs, watermelon and corn on the cob. Good ole American meal. Kelsey really enjoys a good cob of corn. one just wasn't enough.
By 7:30 we were all worn out and decided to forget about sparklers and call it a night. The kids are young enough not to know that fireworks and the fourth are an American tradition. We were just grateful they don't know this yet. We are just so glad that we have cousins near us. Thanks Rich, Jennie, Eve, Eliza and Tabitha.