Greatest Fourth in the North 2013

Welcome to the Greatest Fourth in the North 2013.

We made it through the parade, unlike last year, but second-time-around-pregnant Marge didn't even attempt the 5K, unlike 2011. Admittedly, the parade-people-watching has gone downhill since the banner year of 2009. (Though 2010 wasn't too shabby.) Or maybe it's just that the cute toddler next to me distracts my lens from the train wreck around me.

Will and Justin did a 5 a.m. chair drop to secure a shady spot, only to be greeted with a cloudy day.

Here, they discuss the 6 a.m. golf results...

Shoulders are a girl's best friend.

And mom and dad's (give those arms a break)!

This guys was ready.

Just wish his windbreaker wasn't covering up what was undoubtedly a color coordinated shirt.

Maizey enjoyed her props.

And Grandma's lap.

While I enjoyed eyeballing the preteen footwear.

This gal was sporting sassier espadrilles than I've ever owned. Plus a bubble skirt. 

And then, of course, there was this guy.

Who I believe loves Arizona, judging by his "Tuscon" tattoo.

Then the parade got rollin.

Yes, this troop leader is sporting a camelback.

And the following two shot are for Uncle Greg.

I gave him a shout, Greg, but only got a wave.

Vampire slayer by night.

Flautist by day.

Here's a teaser of my 2013 fave (guess which one), 

along with a couple other gems.

My fave group was the tree farm crew, who gave the "Racing to the Greatest..." theme an Olympic, albeit flammable, twist.

Not to mention their up and at 'em referee.

An oldie but goodie,

the pups were back.

Okay - giving it away - my fave.

And a chica who obviously didn't get the "Appropriate Parade Footwear" memo.

Maizey and Grandpa shared the bounty.

Best get ever.

While this guys costume made zero sense.

Zero.

Rosco, Mr. "Free Shakes" was back.

But no Uncle Paul to dish him sass.

By the end of it, Lady was ready to rock.

"Did you see that lady's shoes, Dad!"

And, it wouldn't be Lake City without a train horn blowin' semi,

spreadin' Yankee truckin' pride.

And to my fave?

Amen, Brother.

As an aside, here is what two rice krispie treats, 6 tootsie rolls, one sucker, three starbursts, two mini-snickers, and a popsicle do to Lady. Happy Independence Day!

Couches and closets

This Memorial Day weekend we made the difficult decision to forgo the trip to lovely Lake City and instead, focus on house and baby prep. On the docket? Bring the upstairs office downstairs, organize the new office closets, and figure out a sleeping solution for Bob and Betts.

As of now, we have the major furniture downstairs and set up, I'm feverishly sorting stuff, the first of two closets is well into its makeover, and we survived (and conquered) the search for a 72" *comfortable* sleeper sofa priced under $1500.

Though you'd never know by looking at Will.

As a bonus, as part of our sofa quest, we had lunch at Red Coat Tavern, Will got to hang out at two maternity stores (the ever-popular Destination Maternity and smaller, Bella Belli) and we ended the excursion with Tasty Twist flurries. We have tee times for Sunday and Monday mornings (I need to get in fighting shape for the looming couples shower/golf outing), so stay tuned to see what else we can accomplish after hitting the links . . .