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I ♥ Faces: My Story in Photos: Patriotic Edition

This week I ♥ Faces is hosting "My Story in Photos: The Patriotic Edition." Click the button below to head on over to check out everyone else's patriotic stories or to find out how to post your own.

On the 4th of July, it is tradition for my family to attend the "Biggest Small Town 4th of July Parade" here in our town and then afterward the afternoon is usually spent with friends or family and then we all return at dark to the park downtown for a huge fireworks display.

My family and I watching the parade.

Watching the parade, I was surrounded by patriotism. From the spectators who stood with hands over hearts as American flags were marched past, to sites such as this little boy waving his flag out the window of a bus.

To me, this photo and those that follow, represents all that is patriotic.

To me the most patriotic part of celebrating our Nation's independence are the soldiers who march in the parade. They always bring tears to my eyes for what they represent. So, to all the soldiers, both here at home and abroad, we salute you for what you sacrifice for your country.

And what better way to end a day such as that, than with a bang such as this:

Proud to be an American!

Biggest Small Town 4th of July Parade

That's right. Our town holds the Biggest Small Town 4th of July Parade. I chose to stay home and save my energy so I'd be able to join Marty's family for the afternoon hanging out at his mom's house. I knew if I attended the parade for one I'd get too much sun and one of the meds I'm on warns strongly against that, and two; I knew I'd be too worn out to enjoy the afternoon as my energy is still not back to normal at all. So I slept in while Marty and Heather headed off. Marty grabbed my camera and can you believe he took a picture of every. single. entry for me so I'd see everything? How sweet! :0) I won't post them all but of course I'll post the ones that interested me most! I would loved to have been able to be there myself but I'll wait patiently for the next parade.

Here's Pepè. Heather's friend Ryan will be the school's mascot next year. Go Ryan!



Heather had her choice of marching with the band, or riding in the truck with the dance team. She opted to march.
Marty got several great shots of Heather marching with the band, playing her mellophone:






Here's some of the dance team:




Marty's boss' wife Julie rode on the Matador Memories Reunion float:

And of course Marty took pictures of all the great Corvettes for me!

My friend Erica and her kiddos rode on her company's float (WaterPark Experts)

Our church's music minister, Rodney, is a member of the sheriff's posse and can usually be spotted in the parades as well:

Thanks Babe, for taking so many great pictures! Sorry I missed the parade but I did get to see everything there was to see without the heat!

Biggest Small Town 4th of July Parade...Not This Year!

Each year the Kids Klub at church enters the train in the parade. The cars are usually decorated to correspond with that year's VBS theme. Can you tell we had a sports theme this year???

We were ready for a parade, hoping for enough of a break in the rain to prevent cancelation. But it rained. And rained. And rained. The parade was canceled.

Cam and Riley:

Dean

Riley and Garrett:

Don't they look like they're ready for a parade??

My daughter was one of the many band students who became drenched waiting for their parents to get back to the drop off point to pick them up:

MORE JULY 4 FESTIVITIES TO COME!!!