4th of July

We woke up the morning of July 4th with not really any set plans so we laid around in bed for a little while, watched some TV and slow to get up and going, which was nice. We discussed options for the day and decided to head over to the Baldwin-Jacksonville bike trail. Ava, since learning to ride her bike, only wanted to ride her bike- anywhere we went she wanted to know if she could ride her bike, which of course, in most cases, the answer was, no. We loaded our bikes up and set out for an adventure.



We ended up ride about 2.5 miles and then turning around and coming back. The trail is almost 15 miles long (one-way) and we knew that wasn't happening, but we also knew we didn't want to wear her out and hate the trip, so we started with 5 miles total riding distance and she did fantastic- we could definitely have gone a lot farther, but I was glad we played it safe- it kept her excited to go back! All the other bikers on the trail (much more serious than we) loved seeing Ava, I don't think they paid any attention to us- just the little one on the bike! haha!

 



We went and ate lunch in MacClenny and then headed back home. We decided to head over to Fernandina to watch the fireworks and we had been told there was a parade. Unfortunately, it turned out this was the first year they didn't have a parade, but I didn't feel quite so dumb when we bumped into some other friends who came early to see the parade as well (and we overheard several different groups of people talking about it). So we had A LOT of time to kill. We walked up and down Centre St. and debated on getting some ice cream but the line was just way too long.



We ended up grabbing something to eat at Timotis Fry Shack while Ava played on their awesome playground. :) She had so much fun and Adam and I were able to enjoy some adult conversation. Later we ended up walking along the docks.

 



We saw a lot of people we knew and chit-chatted some and then headed back to the truck to watch the fireworks.



It was at this point Ava was getting tired and would cry/whine about everything she didn't get her way. She wanted to watch a parade, she wanted ice cream now, she wanted to go home...every little thing was such. a. big. deal. Ahhh the joys of a having a girl! ;)



We were a little concerned after waiting all this time we wouldn't be able to see them as the rain was getting closer and closer, but we managed to see them and the ones in St. Marys across the water. In the end Ava was glad we stayed, but fell asleep before we made it to the bridge to cross the intracoastal.