A sweltering Minnesota Fourth of July

Fourth of July 2012 will forever be remembered as the year of the heat wave -- we set a new record of 101 with the heat index surpassing 110. Despite these warnings, we didn't let the horrible heat slow us down. We started with a parade. As a first, we landed a front row seat. We think the heat kept most of the parade goers away. 

We didn't mind the smaller crowds!  Following the parade, we joined our friends for a Slip 'N Slide party, then hit our neighborhood pool for even more swimming.

To spice things up a bit, Dave made red and blue (more like green) eggs for the kiddos.

Kyler wasn't so sure he liked green eggs.

Because French braids are tradition on the Fourth of July, along with it being dreadfully hot, I even attempted to braid Teyah's hair. Officially, it was her first ever French Braid.

"You guys have got to be kidding me. You want me to ride my bike in this weather?"

To continue a favorite tradition from our previous neighborhood, the kids orchestrated a kids' parade.

It wasn't an amazing turnout, but not bad either!

 

Dave carried the 4th of July tunes, the girls dressed up the "parade floats," and we circled the neighborhood, throwing out candy to our "parade audience" of, um, maybe two people?  We enjoyed meeting a few new neighbors as we made our rounds

And the kids enjoyed the decorated scooters and patriotic outfits.

We have the most gorgeous neighborhood!

We concluded our evening at our dear friends' house with a handful of family games.

 I got to be the guinea pig for this fun game! The Cheetoh toss was fun! Not a bad style!?

And of course we concluded with fireworks.

On our walk home, we could see fireworks going off all around us in the mid-summer night sky.  There was something magical in the air that seems to come around every 4th of July. As we quietly pondered how foruntate we are to live in a free country, Aubrie turned to us and said, "I feel the spirit inside, and it feels good".