Ripley's Parade Debut

Today was the 4th of July Parade up in Allenspark.  Last year, Ripley had a front row seat to watch it, but this year, Nebalee's kids thought it would be fun to put her in the parade and blast Party Rock Anthem (the song from the commercial).  Since Ripley's rally stripe is finally complete, and we've gotten her new wheels and tires, we said, "sure, let's put Ripley in the parade!"

Fire truck

Truck pulling the band

Some damned funny looking horses

More funny looking horses

Another band

The livery's crew

Us!

RIPLEY!

Tractor

Old fire truck

Fire chief's crazy truck

I kinda think Ripley liked being in the parade instead of on the side-lines like she was last year.

Too Hot

to even consider composing a post.  Sorry :(

Tomorrow's the 4th of July Parade, so my mind's been occupied with how I'm going to do Estee's mane this year and what I'm going to wear.

I had to actually break down an buy another pair of jeans.  I wasn't going to buy jeans until I hit my goal weight, but only having one pair isn't working out so good anymore.  So I took my trusty Ashinator with me to find a pair of jeans.  She dragged me into Ross (a store I despise, because I hate to shop) and in ten minutes found me a pair of good butt jeans.  On the way out, she found me a shirt for the parade, too.  Not bad - that little girl of mine can shop.  New jeans and a new shirt for under $20.  Maybe I shouldn't hate Ross so much.  Or maybe I should always take my little fashion consultant with me.

Have a safe 4th of July!  I'll be back with pics and stories after the 4th.

4th of July Craziness

Each year, we participate in the Allenspark Parade.  This year, "we" grew by two, as Deejo and his girlfriend and her children have moved to Colorado.  For the first time, The Girl and The Boy got to ride on the back of the truck and help throw candy.

Autobot and Kyzzer have been in gymnastics pretty much since they learned to walk and each year, their stunts get more and more impressive.  This year, side-by-side round-off back handsprings...



Kyzzer stepped it up, performing a press on the truck as it was moving...



And I'm pretty sure we get to ride in the prettiest parade route ever...



I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Independence Day!

Small Town Fun

The first Saturday in June is Barbeque Day in RockCrawlinChef's hometown.  It's a town-wide celebration that begins at 4:30 am with the town's volunteer fire department driving through town with sirens wailing.  My first exposure to Barbeque Day encompassed the whole experience, sirens at O'God Thirty and all.  This year, 4:30 came around super early, but I was home snug in my own bed.  The alarm went off and we crawled out of bed.

Yeah, the picture's a little blurry, but so am I at 4:30.

I stabbed my contacts into my eyes, pulled my hair into a ponytail and stumbled into some clothes before heading one town south and one town east for the much-acclaimed Fireman's Pancake Breakfast.

5:00 am and at least it's pretty out (and less blurry).

We passed the fire department on our way to RCC's parents' house and at ten after five, there was already a line of cars parked along the street.  Arriving at his parents' house, we roused everyone (apparently the sirens weren't very close to the house this year) and loaded up to go to breakfast.

The line wasn't too bad when we got there, but by the time we left, it was down the block.

Those firemen do it up right!  Pancakes, eggs to order, hash browns, sausage, and ham.  Even though this is a new tradition to me, I love it.  After breakfast, a nap.  The parade didn't start until 11:00, so there was plenty of time to sleep off the food coma from breakfast.

The parade had a little bit of everything: marching bands, cheerleaders, horses, politicians, churches, high school programs.  Heck, even the Chick-Fil-A herd.

Unfortunately, I had to head home after the parade.  I've got a ton of homework (yes, I know I'm supposed to be doing it right now instead of blogging) that I have to get caught up on.  However, the party's going on without me.  There's the big water fight between the neighboring fire departments.  A big barbeque/craft show in the town park.  A fishing derby.  A homerun hitting contest (in which you can bring your own pitcher.  My question: the kind of pitcher that throws you the ball or the kind of pitcher out of which you drink a frosty beverage?).  And to top it all off, after the sun goes down, a fireworks display.

And here I am, trying to be studious.  Next year, I'm staying for it all.  Period.  Homework be damned.  Of course, if I am a good girl and stay on schedule, I'll be finished with my Master's by then anyway.

Don't forget to hop on over to Think Tank Momma's and join in on the Duck Fest.