Liberation Day.

Apparently, in Saipan, the 4th of July is Liberation Day and NOT Independence Day.

(I had one lady correct me on this fat. Sorry honey, but I'm an American and in America we call it Independence Day.)

We went to the parade where we were told had a total of 9 floats this year! (Wow!)

I was mainly there for the little shops and shakes.

It is seriously SWELTERING HOT here. Everyone carries umbrellas around just for shade.

June has been a little grumpy about her last 2 teeth that are coming in.

So we bribed her with a shake.

Can't he just stay this little forever? Owen has honestly been looking so big lately it's heartbreaking!

He's lost all his chub and looks so grown up.

Betcha didn't know Saipan had a bike gang, eh?

This made me cry. Very few people saluted or put their right hand over their heart during this and it made me so sad. I looked up to take a picture and saw the Navy Servicemen standing and saluting and I lost it.

These poor guys were right after the Queen of CNMI Pageant winner and sadly she got more applause than they did. I made sure our kids clapped and cheered as loud as we all could to try to make up for it.

The Scouts. Most of these boys are from our church. 

King of Saipan.

Kidding. I really don't know what this guy was because no one ever explained it but I thought he looked pretty rad all decked out.

We don't actually have any Jollibee's here in Saipan but I remember them from when we were in the Philippines. I was so excited because I thought it was a poor man's McDonald's but found out I hated it when I very unfortunately ordered their version of spaghetti.

June is definitely my cuddler.

Tim was holding her and out of nowhere she wrapped her arms around me from behind.

Love to see them together!

Owen got this hat for his birthday from one of his cousins and I'm in love with it. I think he looks so cute in it and I totally don't mind wearing it when he is sick of it on his head. :-)

This is the closest thing to an ice cream truck here.

And the riot that followed it when they announced free juice boxes. Seriously? Those juice boxes are a whooping 35 cents! I couldn't believe the masses of people fighting over these things. The police even had to break up some fights.

And then of course they were all over the ground.

The hippie inside me was a little ticked.

This is really all I wanted to see. A dog walking a deer. It's the strangest thing but the owner of these "pets" seriously trains them both to do things together. I've seen them playing frizbee at the park and a friend of mine has seen him "walking" the deer at the beach. So, so bizarre!

Happy Independence Day America!