Small Town Celebration

Happy Independence Day!

We had a few choices today as to how we would celebrate the 4th of July.  Most of my family is gathered at my parents' house for the traditional swim and grill celebration.  But being new to town we wanted to stick close to home and see how our small town threw a party.  

I love living where I do.  If I have not said it before, each week I am in this town I fall more and more in love with it.  I love the small community feeling.  Walking up to Main Street today and seeing our neighbors a few chairs down.  Seeing the older gentleman next to us yelling snide comments to the older men in the parade - I'm sure they are all part of the same "good ol' boys" club.  I love the mom and pop burger joint that uses only local ingredients.  We are enchanted by the family hardware store that is preparing to celebrate it's 100th anniversary in this town...in the same family.  The whole town speaks of family of closeness of loyalty and pride.  So add some patriotic sentiment to the already deeply rooted community and you have a full on celebration!

Papa Dan waiting for the festivities to start.  He's decked out in his patriotic hat!

 Kate made sure some of her special friends were dressed up and in good view of the show.

 Nathan had the best seat in the house thanks to Daddy! 

Can anyone guess what Nathan's favorite part of the parade was?  That's right the FIRETRUCKS!  And boy were there a lot of emergency vehicles.  The parade was actually named the Fireman's 4th of July Parade.  Trucks from a least four other towns in addition to ours were present.  And Nathan couldn't have been happier!  Seeing all the firetrucks, one after another, I couldn't help but reflect of the families in Prescott, Arizona, who are grieving the loss of their family and community.  So many people risk their lives so we can be safe and live peacefully and be free.  Thank you!

 Now Kate's favorite part was the horses on parade.  There were at least three or four different horse farms that participated.  There was also an Irish dance studio from Leesburg that made a little appearance.  Kate loved that too, and she immediately went into dance mode!

 I love this shot of the two kids holding hands.  

Proof that there are rare moments when they do not fight!

 There were so many interesting "floats" and vehicles.  But this wagon pulled by for draft horses was quite impressive.   The older rescue vehicles were pretty special too.

We hope you stay safe tonight.  And amidst the BBQ, corn on the cob, drinks, fireworks and parades we remember what a blessing it is to live in the United States of America.  Thank you to so many of you who serve our country and risk your lives so we can be free.  We are indebted.  For indeed: May we never forget that freedom is not free.

Happy Valentine's Day

I adore Kate's heart.  It is simple.  It is genuine.  It is full of love if we are wise enough to receive that gift she offers us daily. 

Kate and I were making valentine's for her class this week.  She made one extra card and added quite a few extra heart stickers on it.  I asked her who it was for and she plainly said:  Jesus. 

I asked her if she wanted to mail it, shamefully sarcastic in my mind.  She said, "No, thank you."  I have another idea.  And into the backyard she went with her Valentine balloon and Jesus's valentine taped to the string. 

My heart melted.  Sarcasm gone.  Pure love.  Unhindered faith. Oh, to be more like my sweet daughter.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  Matthew 19:14

Who needs a Sleigh when you have a choo-choo train?

Another year.  Another Christmas.  Another ride on the Walkersville Santa Train.   The anticipation builds each year as the kids look forward to seeing Santa.  Nathan was so excited - he didn't know which was better - seeing Santa or riding on a train!!!

 

 

The man of the hour has arrived!  He sits down with each of the kids and talks at length with them.  I love how much attention they get from him.  And honestly, he is the real Santa!

 Nathan wants a firetruck- of course.  It is the year of the firetruck after all.   Kate wants an American Girl Doll, or a SnugglePuppet Blanket, or a camera, or a.... you get the idea.

 As we are leaving the train, Santa is waiting at the bottom of the platform waving good-bye to all the good boys and girls.  When Kate gives him a high-five, and yells over her shoulder,
"Bye Santa, I'll see you at the mall!"

Shrek the Halls...

We always joke that Josh can be a bit of an ogre come holiday season.  He even has a Shrek ornament on our Christmas tree!  The holidays: Too many people.  Too much fuss.  Too busy.   (Of course, it's all a bluff.  He's the biggest softy when it comes to the kid's excitement.)   But keeping with his cold facade, we just had to go to see SHREK on ICE.  

The Gaylord at National Harbor hosts an amazing ice sculpture show each year.  Last year it was the Grinch, and Shaun and Debbie said it was incredible.  This year, Shrek and Fiona took center stage - and we were there to see it.

It was 13 degrees inside where the sculptures were, so part of the admittance fee covered the use of thick, warm coats for everybody. Not only was it a chilling 13 degrees, but the pumped the air in so it felt like air conditioning blowing on you at 13 degrees!!   The thermal coats were a great idea, except as Josh pointed out, it was very hard to tell which kids were ours--they all looked the same as they all ran about the place.

 

 

Nathan could barely walk in his big thermal coat.  He stayed pretty warm thanks to Mommy's layering of clothing, hats, mittens, winter coat, and thermal coat.  His cheeks, however, were bright red when we finally left the frigid air!   

 Kate with her boys:  Brenden (left) and Collin (right)

I have to give props to Debbie, who has proudly taken on the role of Gallagher family activity co-coordinator.   Without her, I would never get around to buying tickets to anything.  It was a fun morning.  Thanks, Deb!!

A little Irish makes for a grand Saturday

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

Josh took the morning off of work (which is a very rare treat for a Saturday morning) and accompanied the family to our local Saint Patrick's Day parade!  It was a beautiful March morning.  The kids loved the excitement, the noise, the candy, the clowns, and especially the Irish dancers!

 (We met up with the Riveras a the parade; Kate and Natalie have become good friends.)