Memorial Day Weekend

We had a very busy, but fun, weekend.  My dad was entered in the Lower Lake Parade so we all helped get everything ready for that.  

While everyone was blowing up balloons and decorating the tractor and trailer I tried to keep Allyson entertained.  She loved "driving" the tractor, what a natural farm girl.  

With all the balloons around Allyson wanted a one for herself but she did not want me to tie it to her wrist.  Of course the balloon got away, and Allyson was devastated.  After that anytime she saw a balloon floating away she cried "oh no!" she was always sad for the person who lost it (even if the balloon was a mere speck in the sky).

Beth and Allyson on the trailer waiting for the parade to start.  

On the parade route.  The entry behind us was a rather interesting political statement about the rights of corporations, the people are a bit different and very pushy.  They were Allyson's favorite part of the parade because they had an octopus (don't ask me why).  When she spotted it she excitedly told Beth, "ocpopus, ocpopus!", she almost missed waving at Nana and Papa because she was watching the octopus.  She still can't stop talking about the silly octopus.  I am almost hoping they are in the Middletown Days parade just so I can take a picture of them.

The man of the hour, and the reason we all sat on the float and passed out hundreds of balloons!

After the parade they had different bouncy houses, they even had a small one for little kids.  Bob and Linda took Allyson over and let her play while we manned the booth.  Allyson loved it, it was perfect there was only one other little girl in there and they had fun.  She kept telling me how she jumped with her friend and she used her toes (since she had to take her shoes off).

My dad's booth was really close to the live music, Allyson loved dancing around to the music.  I love her dance moves.

I was so glad Bob and Linda came so they could help entertain Allyson, she had a blast.

One of the reasons Bob and Linda joined us at the Parade was because it was Steve's birthday.  After the Parade and the park everyone came over to our house for some birthday time.

Nana took Allyson on a wagon ride and found this fun weed, I have no idea what it is but it looks like a giant dandelion.

Allyson has turned into a Baseball girl, she loves to play with her bat and ball.  She told Nana to get her camera and take a picture.  Of course Nana complied, and it turned out to be a pretty cute picture.

Papa giving some batting tips (that were promptly disregarded)

She specifically asked for her pink hat, it was necessary to play baseball with it and for some reason she had changed into her red converse.  Funny thing she ran inside and got her oven mitt from her play kitchen as her "mitten" for playing baseball.  She is a crack up that girl.

Ally during batting practice.

We had the traditional birthday festivities.

Steve was pretty happy with his new router and router bits.  He was pretty disappointed he had to start work the next day, it is killing him that he can't play with his new tool until Saturday.  We were all pretty tired but it was a very fun day.

Monday morning Allyson and I met up with my parents at the cemetery for the Memorial Day Service.  My dad read the names of all the Veterans buried in the cemetery and he was the guest speaker.  It was a really nice ceremony and a good way to remember those who have served our country.

Allyson looking adorable, of course, with her flag.