Independence Day!

On Monday, July 2, Tanner and I drove up to West Hollywood to spend the afternoon and evening with my friend Taryn. We went to the Grove, 3rd Street Promenade, and her neighborhood park. We ate crepes, ice cream cones, fish tacos, and we made green velvet cupcakes!

 On Weds, Jeremy, Tanner and I had a super fun-filled Independence Day!

 First, a pancake breakfast with Lucy & Chris Corey and their daughter Matilda.

 Then, we rode bikes to the Huntington Beach parade. Tanner and Matilda got to ride together in the bike trailer. Tanner is 12 months and Matilda is 6 months.

 Tanner: "Seriously, Mom? I can't believe you're making me sit next to a girl." Matilda: "I'm not so sure about this!"

Tanner really enjoyed the parade. He responded most when the band or any music was involved. He pointed to many, many things and waved his flag around lots. He also clapped a few times when others cheered or clapped. What a great little guy! 

 The gang!

We watched the parade for almost 2 hours. It was still was going, but we decided to go home. Tanner fell asleep on Matilda during the ride back.
Matilda: "Help!"

 Matilda: "Seriously, people. A little help would be nice. This thing on me is really annoying!"

After the parade, we went to the kitchen remodel place. We signed a contract for a new kitchen!! More info to come soon. Then, we went home and napped. For dinner, we ate next door at a block party. Then, we rode our bikes to the beach for the firework show. It was hilarious riding through town because this is the 1st year that HB allowed people to have their own fireworks. EVERYONE and their dog was doing fireworks on their driveway, so as we rode our bikes, it was like driving through a war zone! Explosions in front, behind, and right next to us! We even rode THROUGH someone's firework because there was nowhere else to go!

The show started before we got there :(  So we watched a few minutes of it on Main Street (with hundreds of other people!) But then Jeremy convinced me that we had enough time to go watch on the sand. We made it to the sand before the show ended! Thousands of people were on the beach! It was amazing- our favorite place to watch the fireworks. Tanner LOVED the show. He gazed and pointed at the fireworks and smiled lots. The noise didn't bother him because we had his sound muffs.

We had a super wonderful 4th of July! I am so grateful to be an American and to be a part of the amazing legacy of people that helped build and make this country before me. It was especially thrilling to experience the holiday with our sweet Tan Man.