For obvious reasons, Independence Day does not exist in China. We have not celebrated the 4th even once since Vivian has been born, unless we managed to blow up a noisy Chinese firecracker or eat a burger in honor of the Red White and Blue. This year, our first year home and at the beginning of Vivian's Becoming American, we also had the obligation to show our visiting Aussie friends what July 4th is all about.
It was the greatest July 4th. Ever.
We started with the Molalla parade, where Vivian learned how to scramble for the candy thrown from monster trucks and wave an American flag.
The parade was followed by the Molalla Buckeroo rodeo.
Finally, we followed the rodeo with an evening BBQ at the home of Patty and Dave, the parents of our friends Ruth and Nathan who live in Qingdao. Patty and Dave live outside of Molalla in an unbelievably beautiful spot full of trees, plants, horses, friends, and love.
