Fourth of July

Happy 235th USA, all the way from Brazil. We had a big weekend, filled with events. I photographed my first diplomatic function, the official Independence Day party at the Ambassador's Residence on Thursday night, while Paul worked (it) and we passed each other in darkened corners of the party to say 'hey' and pretend we were on a date, a really terrible date, with 400 people we didn't know hanging around. We make the best of every situation, though and it felt good to be back working a larger event.

On Friday evening we stayed up late to put the finishing touches on Sam's bike and Peter's cart.

Saturday night we headed to a party hosted by the embassy. The boys had a blast jumping in the bounce houses and of course, making their debut appearance in the Fourth of July parade. See here for all the reasons (minus a fabulous photo of my brothers, my cousin and I forced to wear matching pure-white sweat suits and be wrapped up in crepe paper to walk miles side-by-side like a giant (miserable) American flag) that we must torture our children for the rest of their parade age days. An old family tradition, you might say. One of our best.

Now that the boys are old enough to ride, toddle or be pulled in any Fourth of July parade, Paul and I will pull out all the stops to make sure they have the most creative and eye catching costumes and decorations in the parade.

Now we are pleased to present to you, the Hanna boys Inaugural Fourth of July Parade:

Barnsie the Barnes & Noble bear, a gift from Uncle Dan, stripped of his cozy B&N hoodie and book-bag and dressed as Lady Lib-bear-ty herself. Complete with sparkly pipe-cleaner fireworks happening about her.

Costume Design: Mom

Props Design: Dad

Float Operator: Pete

Festive Decoration Procurement & Delivery: Nanny

"The Schwinn" decked out in all things red, white and blue.

After one lap of the turn around of the circular drive, Sam became bored of the cycling and Pete bored of the pushing after only a mere three feet. They switched vehicles and continued the parade. Sam running like an out of control Macy's Day parade float and Pete at an astonishingly slow "Deflated Macy's Day Parade float."