Parade Fun in Mountville

Happy Fourth of July! We're celebrating in Mountville, so the annual parade and hot-dog supper were on the agenda last night. Mom's cheery, festive bouquet adorned the table for lunch after we arrived.

We spent some of the afternoon preparing our "parade float." Mom used the shop-vac to clean out the back, and she draped holiday fabric over the roof and seat cushion.

We ate hot dogs and cole slaw on the grounds of the Fire Department. Hamilton saw some familiar faces, so he asked, "We eat with our friends?" That's how he came to sit on a blanket with all girls.

Hamilton licked all the icing off his cupcake, then he took off the paper and scarfed down the cake.

Collier walked all around finding friends as well. Dolly (in red) was far more interested in the puppy than Collier was.

Everyone wore red, white, and blue to celebrate.

Mountville somehow dodged the huge thunderstorms that surrounding cities and towns endured, but we did get a little bit of rain. We took cover in the Fire Department after the trucks were moved out. Hamilton's playing with new friends and scheming for a seat in the coveted pink folding chair.

Collier was a bit tired after eating supper and playing with new friends, so he sat in his stroller watching the bigger kids running all around in the rain.

Claire also found some friends, and they did whatever tweens do nowadays.

I love this picture because it shows Hamilton's best bossy pose. I'm sure he's giving Maggie Brooke an earful about some rule she's breaking.

Finally, Hamilton got his turn in the pink folding chair.

After a slight rain delay, we started the parade. Claire drove the golf cart with Mr. Morgan riding shotgun for safety.

Uncle Travis and Cheri were great sports, riding in the back of the golf cart with the boys. Mimi handed out flags and streamers on sticks.

Collier never dropped his flag, proudly waving it along the whole parade route.

Here's our bunch in action as they came around the parade route in front of the big house where I was stationed.

Behind them was a big tractor, so Hamilton had a fun view during the parade.

The younger bunch was short several members this year, so they paid homage to their faraway friends.

The Bagwells made a sign:

Stop Lights:  0

Population: ~500

Chicken Houses: 39

Living in Mountville

PRICELESS

The greater Crisp family did a water theme with the kids shooting water cannons and throwing water balloons at parade-watchers.

Collier found himself in an airplane after the parade. I think he liked it!

He was still gripping his flag and waving it proudly.

Fun for the Fourth

The parade is the highlight of the celebration in Mountville, but with so many friends who come back for the festivities, the whole evening feels like a family reunion. Now all my friends and I have so many kids that it's mass chaos during the hot-dog supper. Collier enjoyed a late-afternoon snooze on Grandma's lap, and Aunt Judy got to experience her first July Fourth celebration in Mountville.

The big boys lounged in the shade after the hot-dog supper.

Travis brought Jess to Mountville for the crazy fun, so hopefully she wasn't too overwhelmed.

Though there were rambunctious children as far as the eye could see, the older folks did make a strong showing with Grandma on the far left holding Collier.

The newest baby in attendance was Samuel who's one month old, and he looked so sweet sleeping on Cindy's lap.

Hamilton played with the dirty tricycle for a long time, and three-year-old Maggie Brooke jumped on while Hamilton pushed.

Then Maggie Brooke returned the favor and pushed Hamilton around.

Hamilton loved the go-cart ride!

Parade Pictures

Though Hamilton was a little unsure of the decorated golf cart at first, he quickly smiled being back in Uncle Travis's lap for the Mountville parade. Hamilton waved his little flag and giggled as he passed by the spectators.

These sweet girls threw out candy for us spectators.

Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty were precious in their battery-powered jeep.

The "younger crowd" who are now in college and graduate school donned bandanas and cut-offs for their Hell's Angels impression. Each year they come up with the cutest ideas for their parade showing.

Grandma got to ride in this old car again this year.

Mom and Aunt Judy worked hard to decorate the golf cart, making it festive and fun for the kids.

Anything goes in the Mountville parade with little ones riding bikes and older ones driving golf carts and four-wheelers.

Hamilton and Uncle Travis rode in the back of the golf cart that Claire drove.

Mr. Morgan joined in the parade this year to ride shotgun to Claire and to hold Baby Collier.

Claire was excited to drive the golf cart again this year in the parade.

Mimi made Collier a sweet, patriotic outfit especially for the parade, and she made matching bandanas for Claire and Hamilton.

Miss Gerry

My dear friends from home said goodbye to their grandmother yesterday. Mrs. Gerry Crisp had just celebrated her ninetieth birthday a few weeks before. Deb told me the celebration was wonderful; the daughters had outdone themselves with pictures and memorabilia displayed from each decade of her life.

Though I'm not technically part of the family, I've always felt like I was counted as an extra granddaughter. I'm welcomed at family functions, and "Miss" Gerry always greeted me with a hug around the neck and a kiss on the cheek. She often talked with me about tennis, since she knew I played and she was a fan. She always asked me about Charleston, my beloved city, for she loved the city too; but she'd lament that she didn't visit as often as she would have liked. I've always loved this picture from my wedding because it captures her loving spirit.

This past summer at Mountville's Fourth of July celebration, I saw Miss Gerry for the last time. She was so sweet to Hamilton, and he loved sitting in her lap.

We'll miss her especially at family events, though I'm thankful for the memories. May she enjoy her eternal rest with her Heavenly Father.