July 4th-Iowa Style!

There are two holidays we will most certainly miss celebrating in Dubuque, and one of them is July 4th.  Small town America does up July 4th in a grand way.  Last year was our first year driving over to a nearby small town called Bellevue, for their celebration "Heritage Days".  We had such a great time last year that we were sure to return this year.  Knowing it would be our last July 4th celebrated in Iowa, we were really soaking up the memories.

 All decked out and ready for the parade!  The parade in Bellevue begins late morning, and for a small town, it draws quite a crowd.  The kids had a blast!  It was bright and sunny, but not too terribly hot.  We couldn't have had any better weather.  

 My All-American girl enjoying her lollipop

 Cooper was such a good, happy baby just lounging in his stroller through the parade and then strolling around the carnival.  Funny thing is the previous year, we had been at the same carnival, and at the time I was pregnant.  I saw another family pushing a double stroller I admired, and remember thinking maybe the following year I'd be doing the same.  Sure enough, here was Cooper, proudly riding around in that stroller.  I was a happy mama watching my kiddos enjoying themselves so much! 

 It took some coaxing, but Mat convinced Charlotte to ride the swings with MJ, and she loved them.  This was her first true carnival ride!  She also rode a small little train with MJ, but it was far less intimidating.  They rode the swings several times.  After some rides and games, we grabbed lunch in town and then headed home for some rest.  

 Being just a week away from moving, it was bittersweet knowing this would be the last time we'd watch fireworks from our front yard.  This is one of those holidays that living on South Grandview is so picturesque. Our kids even stayed up for fireworks this year!  We did their first sparklers out in the front yard while we were waiting for it to get dark.  Cooper went to bed around his normal time, and managed to sleep through all the loud booms, just as MJ and Charlotte had the previous year.  This year they took turns snuggling on our laps watching the beautiful display above our home.  It will be a favorite memory of that home that I will most certainly miss!