Happy 4th of July!

Adam and I have celebrated many Independence Days in Anacortes with the Wilhoits, but none have ever felt quite so happy as this one as we introduced Eila to all the best that small town America has to offer.  

Having arrived at Oma and Opa’s house well after dark, we awoke after a good night’s sleep just in time to enjoy some seriously delicious lemon pancakes with cream cheese syrup and equally as yummy summer weather.  At least 10 degrees cooler than in our own smoldering Puyallup, Zoe was eager to soak up some sun without panting in the heat.

Pug Life = Complete

In efforts to work off our breakfast, we headed into downtown for some treasure hunting.  Eila found an elephant just her size!

The rest of us didn’t come up with anything nearly as exotic.  Adam settled for a backgammon board and a pasta maker, I was excited to find some albums I only previously enjoyed on tape, and Linda enjoyed the fruits of a clearance rack stocked with sparkly Toms shoes!

Every adventure party needs sustenance so we nestled into a back booth of our favorite watering hole for CBGBs and fish tacos.  Eila had her eyes set on something more sour.   I was hoping for the quintessential “so sour!” baby face - but Eila just bit harder into the rind.

Mmmm...lemon!

Later that afternoon Eila got to experiment with another first - baby bathing and bubbles!

She doesn’t use her words well, but I think this face says she liked it.

A wee hat to keep the sun off the skin.

Finally, it was the 4th - and we had QUITE a day of celebrations.

The only proper way to start an Independence Day is with a town picture and a parade.  We’ll have to ask you to take a raincheck on the town picture since we won’t see the fruits of that adventure for a few weeks - just take our word that Eila rode proudly atop her papa’s shoulders in search of being included in her first Anacortes town picture.

Following a jaunt around the Saturday market and a visit to the Mad Hatters for morning ice cream, it was time to take our coveted shady seats for the main event.  In the middle of a record setting heat wave in the Northwest - the sun was nothing with which to be played.

Adam’s looking a little sleepy.  Must be low blood sugar...quick throw him some candy!

That’s better.

Eila’s looking ready for the festivities.

Family resemblance, much?

The parade began with an announcement from the town crier.

Hear ye, hear ye!

Eila enjoys the parade with her Oma.  I want your glasses! 

An original Beadie Baby...looks like it comes in the Walrus edition.

Just a couple of minions hanging out in the parade.

After the parade, it was back to the house for nap time and recuperation.  It was important to rest up for the evening’s adventures back at Seafarers Park for Rock the Dock.  The Port of Anacortes hosts this annual event on the waterfront, coincidentally right next door to the ESD building where Adam and I were married nearly seven years ago.

The building and lawn looks pretty much the same - three of us have added a few pounds and a few gray hairs - but the extra family member is totally worth it.

 We brought a wonderful picnic to the park and joined in the revelry with a few hundred of our favorite Anacortes residents.  It was so fun to watch the mix of tankers, yachts, and tiny sailboats wind their way in and out of the marina next to where we were lounging.  The live music was excellent - almost as good as the company.

Mmmm - more lemon!

Thanks for another perfect holiday!  May this be just the first of many more.  And maybe next year the younger two generations will even stay awake for the fireworks!