i really love the 4th of july. i know i know, so does everyone else. our celebration this year was a new experience for me: it was my first year missing the murray parade which is just about the saddest thing to ever happen to me and this country. the 4th of july parade was a tradition in my family long before i was even born, and something that has lasted into my adult life. let me tell you, i love that parade. the floats, the marching bands, cheering on the runners, the heat, waking up at 5am, the candy, throwing the nasty taffy and poppers back at the floats...i love it all. so this year i had to miss it, and i was NOT happy about it. AND my family didn't even go, so i'm not really even sure if we can call ourselves american anymore? still, joe and i managed to have a pretty fun celebration over here...

on the 3rd we went to the much anticipated marin county fair. all of my primary kids told me how fun it was so really we had no choice but to check it out. i loved every second. it took me right back to my childhood. we ate corn on the cob, turkey legs (my first and probably last experience doing so), cotton candy and funnel cakes. we rode the swings, the big slide, and the gravitron (this used to be my favorite ride ever and i remember riding it over and over at the 49th street galleria. this time it lasted a little too long and i was scared of my hair getting stuck in between the cracks). we finished off the night with a firework show and playing a few of the ridiculously overpriced games.

on the 4th we mostly just enjoyed having a day off work. we celebrated our freedom by sleeping in, hitting the pool, shopping, checking out all the cool camping gear that we hope to own one day (i'm not a big camper, but i think i would be if i had all the cute accessories...), watching the carnival fireworks from our balcony, and eating. a lot. nothing says america quite like stuffing your face, right? happy birthday usa, we love ya!