The Fourth started with a parade in downtown Minden, where the Sarmans joined us for the festivities and we all got to finally meet Will. We walked there from Grandpa and Grandma’s house, pulling you behind in a wagon decorated for the occasion. On the walk there we saw a field of sheep, and the obligingly ‘baaa’d’ as we went past. This has by far been your favorite sound/word to date, and so I was excited for you to finally see sheep and hear them make your favorite sound. You were so cute watching them.

You were dressed up for the festivities and you were adorable in your little ‘Betsy Ross’ hat that Kyle and Sandy gave you for the last Fourth of July; it finally fits you now.

It was sweltering hot out, and on the walk home you started fussing, than ended up falling asleep in my arms. I transferred you to the wagon and you slept the rest of the way home and then for a couple of hours in the car on the way up to the lake.

This afternoon we played on the beach by your Grandpa and Grandma’s house in Marla Bay. Your dad and I were so excited to see what you thought of the beach since you so love playing in the sand, dirt and water at our house, and because you really enjoy the buckets and shovels so much. You played with your dad for about 30 minutes, but you were not as excited about it as we’d thought you would be. I think you got your feet in the lake, and the frigidness of the water and the sounds of the waves sort of scared you and you really didn’t want to go anywhere near the water for the rest of the time we were at the Lake. But you got to play with your dad’s cousin’s kids and just had fun hanging on the beach. Tonight you went to bed before the fireworks started; you still haven’t seen any fireworks yet.