Celebrating our independence

We had a good 4th of July this year. On the 2nd our city had "Music in Plymouth" which is where they have a bunch of musical performances ending with the Minnesota Orchestra, and then they have fireworks (yes, not on the 4th...) Anyway so Wednesday night we did that, and Samantha did surprisingly well being kept up until 11 o'clock at night. She wasn't very interested in the fireworks. Every once in a while she'd look at the lights or the loud sound, but she liked the girls next to us that were screaming (with excitement) a whole lot more. She also started to let go of us that night when she was standing. So now she thinks she can stand... but really just has a delayed fall.

Just standing around

Hanging out

Is it time for fireworks yet?

On the actual 4th, we went out to Delano for their annual parade. And as the Smiths and Paksimas were gone, Stephen's parents were ripping apart their deck, and Heidi didn't know when it was... we were the only ones going out to it. Luckily, we found the Elwoods, who were at the very beginning of the parade route. So we hung out with them. Once again, Samantha didn't have much interest. She did like the go carts though. We ended taking her back to a grassy spot where she crawled around and stood by her stroller.

At the parade

Sammi loves to wave (usually it's AFTER you're gone)

Hanging out at her stroller

That night Stephen had a concert for United We Sing, a choral group put together by the Stakes in the Twin Cities area. They sang patriotic songs, Stephen and Taylor (nephew) played the trumpet, McKay (nephew) played the flute. And it was all together an enjoyable evening. We decided not to do a second round of fireworks, maybe when Samantha's older.

After the concert