Round Barn Festival Twilight Parade and Cookout

If you know me, you know that I love doing stuff with family. We headed down to Rochester tonight, where my dad lives, to partake in the Round Barn Festival twilight parade. This was Hadley's first parade, so it was pretty exciting to get to watch her. She was frightened by the loud sirens and it took her a while to pick up on the fact that you were supposed to grab the candy from the street. I think she tried every kind of candy that we got, and she polished off cousin Gabe's green snow cone in no time. After the parade, we stopped by dad's house and then headed over to my Great (Hadley's great great - which I think is pretty cool!) Aunt June's house for a cookout. It was a super fun evening - just the kind that I love!

The kids, plus everyone else, patiently awaiting the start of the twilight parade.

Apparently the Samaritan helicopter fly over signifies the start of the parade. 

My Great Aunt June and Karen anxiously waiting!

I love the picture above of Julianna and Gabe looking down the road at the start of the parade.

Hadley didn't want to stand in the road.  She chose to sit in her stroller to wait.

Her faces crack me up!  You can see her reaction to the start of the parade, and the loud noise that accompanies.

In the picture above, she was a little scared of the loud fire truck and police car sirens.  Poor girl!

The friendly fire dog above cheered her up though!

Hadley wouldn't go into the road to pick up the candy.  Good girl!  In the picture above, Grandpa convinced her that it was okay.

Hadley loved the dog in the picture above, and I did too!  If we were to get a dog, the St. Bernard would get my vote.

They were handing out snow cones, but Hadley didn't get one.  Cousin Gabe was super sweet and gave his to Hadley.  In the picture below, you can see that she was nice enough to share it with Juli.

The Biomet car! 

Getting brave, and picking up a piece of candy on her own!

Like I said earlier...she tried every candy in the candy bag!

Karen Sumpter, on the blue sign above, is the wife of my late second cousin Judd, Great Aunt June's son.

Awe, how sweet!  Me and my baby girl.  Thanks for these awesome pictures, Lex!

My dad recently bought this Midget.  He's wanted a convertible for years, so he decided to buy one.  It's super cool, and tiny!  I don't think Austin would be able to fit inside. 

The kids had a great time playing in Grandpa's yard.  As you can see, Hadley's shorts were a little big for her, and she got wet from the pool.  I was cracking up at the picture below of her trying to pull her pants up.  I ended up going to Walmart and buying her a cheap little outfit so that she could get out of the wet clothes and play some more without having to fight with her pants!

When we got done hanging out at Dad's house, we headed over to my Great Aunt June's for a cookout.  Fred, my second cousin, met us there.  We had some tasty food and enjoyed each other's company.  We were having such a great time, that we didn't leave until around 11:00 p.m.  Ugh!  I have to work tomorrow.