For YEARS, our family tradition has been to attend this small town parade, followed by a gathering with friends and family for an afternoon of dining, visiting, playing.......and just appreciating Independence Day in the USA!!!!
* * * * * * *
"God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her,
and guide her,
Thru the night
with a light
from above.
From the mountains,
to the prairies,
To the oceans,
white with foam.
God bless America,
My home sweet home.
Blessings go out to you and yours this Independence Day!
Don't forget to visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND. There you will find many bloggers with PINKS to share during this time of "Red, White and Blue"!!
DANA
Looks like a great time Dana! Happy July 4th Weekend-Have Fun:@)
Posted by: Lynn@HappierThanAPigInMud | July 01, 2011 at 03:40 AM
Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Fourth of July, Dana.
It looks as if you all celebrate our country's birthday with fellowship and fun. It all looks perfect. And, I bet it will be this year, too.
Posted by: | July 01, 2011 at 07:04 AM
What a fun post! I always enjoy a parade! Hope you have a great weekend!
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
Posted by: Sherry | July 01, 2011 at 12:26 PM
What a great town to live in. Thx for sharing. Have a safe and happy holiday
HPS
LL
Posted by: Laura Lee | July 01, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Oh gosh, Dana....how much FUN this looks! I'm trying to round up some folks (including Dear Hubs) to get excited about going to a local parade about fifteen minutes from here. Hope we get to go so I can get some great pics like yours! ENJOY and be safe. That GrandGirl is adorable.
Jillian
Posted by: Jillian | July 01, 2011 at 01:56 PM
Happy 4th July!
What a great Parade!
Enjoy your weekend!
Hugs
Charo
Posted by: Charo | July 01, 2011 at 02:23 PM
Hey Birthday Girl - I'm doing this from memory...not facebook. I think I remember it's your birthday today or tomorrow. Right. Hope it's fun and fabulous and in your case you already are FIT! Woohoo - you are the most amazing jogger - really, really amazing. Is that your daughter with the plate of food? She's gorgeous - I don't remember seeing that before. So she completes the family picture I have in my mind of such a good looking and happy group. Enjoy your day and Happy Birthday. xoxoxoxo Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | July 01, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Haha - only off by a month! It's the last day of July as opposed to the first day. Showing my age but what the heck
Posted by: Nancy | July 01, 2011 at 02:52 PM
Happy Pink Saturday and 4th of July Dana Sweetie...
To you, your family and of course Stone Rabbit. He looks so festive surrounded
by the American flags. What a beautiful photo that one is.
Loved seeing you with the Grand daughter watching that parade. Her hair is so
gorgeous, I love seeing her. You all were having such a great time.
Lots of laughter, lots of fun, entertainment and such wonderful looking foods
to taste. What a wonderful celebration you have shared.
Loved that fire hat photo most of all. To cute.
Have a beautiful Pink Saturday and a wonderful 4th of July celebration with
the family. Many hugs and much love, Sherry
Posted by: Sherry @ Country Wings in Phoenix | July 01, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Beautiful post. I love a parade & enjoyed sharing yours.
Happy PS!
Wags, Niki
Posted by: Niki @MaisonMutt | July 01, 2011 at 05:16 PM
This is the most wonderful post! I just love it. Don't you just love hometown parades?! I do! We do live in an awesome country, don't we?
Blessings to you and yours, Dana.
Posted by: Holly | July 01, 2011 at 05:47 PM
We do the very same thing, Dana. Love spending the time with my family ....and I love traditions.
Have a good one..
xo bj
Posted by: bj | July 01, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Hi sweet Dana~~~ I just love your post! Family smiling enjoying life~~~celebrating...very special!!
and that vintage firetruck it reminds of the one at Disneyland~~~I want one! I don't have room but I want one! hahaha
Happy PS & and have a blessed 4th of July
xo
K
Posted by: Kay Ellen | July 01, 2011 at 11:28 PM
You & Sherry-sis had the same idea ... (love that little girl with the curly red hair)
May her flag fly high & proud forever over this great land ... may God see the changes we need & grant us that blessing.
Happy 4th, sweetie.
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon
Posted by: Marydon | July 02, 2011 at 06:31 AM
This is how the holiday should be celebrated! Great pictures and memories of a wonderful day! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend! Twyla
Posted by: two crazy crafters | July 02, 2011 at 07:25 AM
I know Dana - your little granddaughter is the same age - I wouldn't watch either if I were you. What a sweet thought about the lampshade - maybe subconscious - who knows. I can't even imagine what I would do in the grandparents place - I thought I'd never lie like that but now I realize it came down to a choice of life or death for her child and who knows how desperate you'd be to not let yourself believe that your child could do what I believe she did. And can you imagine having your family dissected like that - mine would look like complete screwballs. I sound like a supporter of Cindy and George and I just go back and forth and if you've ever had to worry about the welfare of a grandchild it is hell on earth. I had to testify in my grandson's custody case - the female judge reamed and berated his mother for her behavior....then - she gave her custody. Two months later she called my son crying and said she realized she could not handle the responsibility. I will always love her for that decision and she went on to grow up, marry and have two children and is a good mother...now. Maybe that's why I'm so riveted with this trial - I know what it's like to live with a grandchild and have him be the absolute light of your life. I pray that someday they find some peace. God bless little Caylee and guide the jurors.
Posted by: Nancy | July 02, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Great post....love all the photos....
Wishing you and yours a pinkishly beautiful Independence Day weekend
Posted by: Robin | July 02, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Hi Dana!
I loved how we illustrated traditional songs with photos for this holiday! Your grandchildren are so adorable with their pretty red hair, and I'm sure they will enjoy seeing the parade again this year.
A bit of trivia -- a Kate Smith recording of "God Bless America" is played at every Yankee baseball home game -- people sing along and it always gets lots of cheers!
Happy 4th of July~
Posted by: Pat | July 02, 2011 at 10:47 AM
Lord, I do love small hometown parades Dana. Happy 4th of July. We celebrated last night and again today. :) Going antiquing on the actual 4th with my daughter in law and grand girl. Love to All......and love that red hair!
Posted by: Lynn@thevintagenest | July 03, 2011 at 05:30 AM
P.S. It's the son/dil's anniversary too on Tuesday (11th) (boy am I old!) and Pappa and I (gg) will be baby sitting too. Beannie Weannies and sticks for supper....LOL.... xoxo
Posted by: Lynn @thevintagenest | July 03, 2011 at 09:22 AM
I love a parade!! Happy 4th of July and PS!
Posted by: pat | July 03, 2011 at 11:43 AM
I remember this post! I love it then... now I've loved it again!
Happy 4th Dear Dana!
hugs. Dixie
Posted by: Dixie | July 04, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Dana,
I could just hear Kate Smith singing while you shared the lyrics to God Bless America. Loved the parade and seeing you with your grands.
L,
Jean
Thank you so much for your encouraging comments on my blog of my childhood on Garden Road. Oh, now the pressure!
Posted by: Jean | July 05, 2011 at 08:00 PM