We celebrated Independence Day with lots of fun events around town! Knoxville and the surrounding areas don't let a holiday go by without plenty of family-friendly activities. It was so nice to have a three-day weekend off to spend together hanging out, just the four of us, catching some of the celebrations around town.  We started the day with the Farragut 4th of July Parade.  We had rain for days, and days, leading up to the parade so we decided to go ahead and go and just go prepared for rain.  We lucked out with a rain-free parade until the last 2 floats so the timing couldn't have been better...you know, because we planned all of that... 

Let the parade begin...

Anything that makes loud noise is a big hit in Preston's eyes, but you add lights and sirens and you take it to a whole new level. This kid is all boy!

I just really loved this truck as it screamed classic America to me.

And this little farmer, a friendly reminder we live here in East Tennessee.

We made it out in a hurry, just before the next monsoon, and made it home in time for the kids to enjoy it!  They love any excuse to wear their rain jackets!

We headed back out to enjoy a Tennessee BBQ meal and then downtown to join in the fun in the mud at Festival on the 4th.  Worlds Fair Park looked so festive with the bridge lit, the Sunsphere in the backdrop and the flag flying high, hung from a fire truck's ladder.  The festival had tons for kids to do and then of course a big firework finale.  We had been downtown to watch the fireworks from the street last year and had watched them on the live broadcast on tv the years before, but we had never actually been down to the festival.  The fireworks were lit while the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra played so it was fun to be down there to watch it live this year. 

The mini golf was a big hit with these two!

Preston wasn't entirely into the idea of fireworks but nonetheless, his eyes never left the show...his little face was priceless.

 The 4th of July celebrations wouldn't be complete without sparklers.  Reese was really excited about them this year, but Preston was completely terrified and stayed as far away as possible.

We had an especially fun Independence Day this year with both kids old enough to enjoy and participate in most all of it! With our work schedules and summer activities all over the place, it sure was nice to have a weekend home as a family.

Hope you enjoyed the holiday too!