Monday, July 4, 2011

Patriotic Pirates


Ahoy matey! This year for the Fourth of July, my mom built a pirate ship float for all of the grand kids to ride on in the annual East Millcreek parade.

Actually, Sam built the ship, Ashley's husband Tyler sewed and rigged up the sails and my mom did everything else. She really is a creative genius. We thought we might actually have a chance to win this year but once again, no dice. We lost to a very sub-par covered wagon float.

Every year, Sam grumbles about having to do the parade, but honestly, it is so fun and my kids looooove it. This year, the three oldest grand kids walked and threw candy:



The four little boys rode in the float:



and the three babies got pushed in decorated strollers:



All of the kids wore pirate costumes and me and my sister, sisters-in-law and my mom wore these red and white striped shirts I bought on Ebay...of course, my smart aleck brother Rex had to give us a hard time about wearing horizontal stripes:



The back of the float was the only thing I was responsible for. I ordered vinyl lettering and called it a day. It was a four man job getting it on straight.



Because I know you are dying for more, here are some action shots from the parade:





Of course, we finished off the morning at Kneaders eating their chunky french toast and strawberries 'n cream. I'm not much of a breakfast eater but it is DELICIOUS! I may or may not have finished every one's plate:



The rest of the day was low key and I actually got a nap while Sam took the older three kids to Kung Fu Panda 2. I needed the sleep after the crazy weekend we had--it has been Warner-Palooza with tons of activities and dinners and a family picture and Luke's baptism. I will report on that later!

Happy Fourth everyone!

17 comments:

Quelly said...

I just love your mom - does she rent her self out? I don't have kids so she would just have to mother me for small periods of time.

Heather said...

I can't believe you didn't win?!?!?! Are those judges on crack? You guys look awesome! So fun... I also enjoyed the Kneaders French toast this weekend...yum.

melissa walker said...

I was just going to say the same thing as Heather! :) The judges must have voted for their own family float! Your family has so much fun!

NiaCP said...

Next time tell us how/where we vote. You guys looked great!

gwen said...

So cute! Your mom is awesome. I especially love that your dad participates, wearing a bandana even! Does your mom bribe him or is he a willing participant? And I love that all the in-laws participate too...the price you pay to marry a Warner, I suppose! :-)

Denise said...

Ummm, I'm REALLY glad I don't live in your neighborhood. Our parade consists of kids decorating their own bikes and riding them down the road. No prizes, thank goodness. IMO, the only reason you didn't win with that get up is because of where you live and the constant need to return to pioneer days. You guys and your float are amazing.

brooke said...

Denise, this is sooo not a neighborhood thing. Our neighborhood does a bike parade too.

Gwen, my dad totally does whatever Linda tells him to...but he loves it!

Laura B. said...

This is incredible!!! I cannot believe the talent in the Warner clan. It is a travesty that you lost to a covered wagon. Come on Utah...been there, done that!
And you all ROCKED those horizontal stripes!!!

Elizabeth said...

You was robbed!!! The float and you guys all looked awesome. My fave pic is the babies in the pushchairs .. there sure is a lot of them ;-)

sheryl said...

Impressive! Wow!

Jill said...

You guys are just too much! I'm so impressed with the float and your costumes!

Ashley said...

You are always so much faster to post than I am, and it demotivates me even more. You claim no one wanted to read about this the first time, who wants to see me posting about it again?

Bill said...

Harold would have been proud. It seems like yesterday that John and Kirk were pulling us on the merry-go-round. Do your mother's talents ever end? (this is Liz..just on Bill's laptop)

sheryl said...

I was just looking at these cute photos again. The one of Cam (?) and all the pirate girls makes me think... colorado city potential. ... Bad joke I know. This really is an amazing float, and what a fun event.

Pandy said...

I'm so jealous. I remember when Kelly, you, and Rex rode on the float that your grandpa built. It looks so fun!! Linda is amazing! Every time I see what she does with and for her family, I feel like a schmuck! Can't wait to see you all tomorrow.

Jill T said...

You all look great! That float should have won SOMETHING. And the fact that you were all dressed up to boot. How fun.

Stephanie Eldredge said...

Wow! That is an incredible float! Really, you didn't win?!!! The horizontal stripes gave me a panic attack--be thankful that I wasn't wearing that! ;) haha. You all looked great! I would have loved to see you go around with that in our neighborhood bike parade! I wonder what people would be thinkin. ha! Your kids must have loved it! You have such a great family--your kids don't know how lucky they are! :)