Really, I do. I have no good excuse, but the Fourth of July parade in the small Nebraska town near my Mom’s didn’t disappoint. In fact, both Katie and I found ourselves a bit choked up as the color guard started down the street and the crowd sang the national anthem. It’s probably a good thing my soft-hearted husband stayed back at the lake to fish.
I thought this little girl riding in the firetruck with her dad was especially sweet.
The Red Hat Society, which I believe is derived from the poem that starts, “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple.” It seems to me that the open bed of a moving truck isn’t the safest place to stash a group of elderly ladies, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.
If Mom didn’t look so darn cute in this photo, I’d make a “speaking of elderly ladies” joke here. Since she was nice enough to put up with us for four days (and we’d like to come back), I think I’d better not.
One of the many signs on this very old implement read, “Happy birthday, America.”
This trailer holds what has to be a majority of the cousins attending this family’s reunion.
This float was sponsored by a brand new organic farm in the area. We attended their open house the following day–photos to come.
A poignant reminder of the importance of the holiday:
Smith Family Weblog 
