..Family, Festivities, and lots of Fireworks..

Our Independence Day was full of family, friends, festivities, and fireworks. It was a great day. We started the day off with the annual Ray Barrus 5K. Several months ago Claire decided she wanted to run the race this year so we signed her up for the kids one mile race. She was really dedicated and would talk me or Luke into going running with her so she could get ready. For several weeks before the race she would get up first thing in the morning and get ready to go running. All her hard work paid off and she took 3^rd place in her age division Although I just looked at the race results and that shows she took 2^nd place. Either way she did awesome and we are so proud of her. At the last minute Luke decided to race with Claire and to also do the 5K and Crue decided he wanted his daddy to push him in the jogging stroller. After the race we were off to watch the parade and my aunts and uncles homes. I must say it is very convenient having relatives live along the parade route. We got to watch the parade while hanging out with all the cousins. Then we were off to the park for some food and bounce houses, then a family party. Fit in a long nap after that and we were then ready for some fireworks. It really was a great day and we feel very blessed to live in this amazing country. Happy Birthday America!!

 

Claire all ready for her first race.  She was so worried that we were going to be late and she would miss it.  She was so excited.

 

Claire and her daddy.  Luke ended up not going in to work and Claire was pretty excited that he was going to run the race with her.

 

Me and my kiddos just waiting for the race to start.

And waiting some more.  They had so many people register late that the race got going late.  Claire and Luke are 5th and 6th from the right.

 

My sweet little Anna was a trooper through the whole thing.  We woke her up early than usual and she was just as good as could be.  She is the biggest sweetheart.

Claire with her 3rd place medal.  She has been showing it off to everyone.  

 

 

 

It took awhile to get the results from the race so we had no idea if Claire would place or not.  She patiently waited and her eyes just lit up when she heard them call her name.

 

My two boys running the 5K.

 

Claire and Anna waiting for the 5K to get over.

I am pretty sure that Claire has convinced this boy of mine that pictures are better if you are pulling a funny face.   

My niece Ashlyn waiting for the parade to start.

My and my man.

Claire's favorite part of the parade was the gymnasts that did backbends in the air.  Crue loved the high school bands.

Cousin Britt took Anna the second we got there so these two enjoyed the parade together.