We took Mio to see the Alameda Independence Day Parade yesterday for a Fourth of July celebration. Alameda’s parade is apparently the largest (with 160+ floats) and longest (3.2 miles) Independence Day parade in the country! It was a hot day, but we parked ourselves under some shade and watched the parade go by — Mio had fun watching her first parade!

horse and carriage

 

Alameda fire truck

 

Alameda Hospital streetcar

 

A big cake!

 

Mio and I at the Alameda Parade
Mio and I moved to get a closer look at the parade.

 

Mio and I watching the floats go by
Watching the floats go by.

 

There were lots of cool classic cars in the parade!
There were lots of cool classic cars in the parade!

 

Cool gears!

 

Mermaids and Poseidon

 

Baby you're a firework!
Baby you’re a firework! Mio in her Fourth-of-July dress.

 

Japanese-themed float representing the Buddhist Temple of Alameda
A Japanese-themed float representing the Buddhist Temple of Alameda

 

Paper cranes on the sides
Paper cranes on the sides

 

Enjoying the parade in the shade
Enjoying the parade in the shade with Daddy

 

Giggles!
Mio giggling with Auntie Tarrin! πŸ™‚

 

After the parade, we walked back to our friends Tarrin and Jason’s house to enjoy a BBQ lunch — everything they cooked was amazing! Our tummies got to enjoy quite a feast!

Grilling some delicious burgers!
Jason grilling some delicious burgers!

 

Rishy and Mio
Mio following 4-year old Rishy around.

 

We also got to hang out on their hammock — it was so relaxing!

Mio and I on the hammock.

 

Bathed in sunlight
Bathed in sunlight

 

First time on the hammock
Mio’s first time on the hammock

 

Daddy and Mio on the hammock!
Daddy and Mio on the hammock!

 

Mio and Daddy on the hammock
Dan borrowed my sunglasses… lol.

 

Mio with Mama
Mio had a fun time exploring the backyard!

 

Peekaboo!
“Peekaboo!”

 

All of us had a great time spending the day in Alameda! After eating all the delicious food and being out in the summer sun, we all took a long nap when we got home that evening. Hope everyone else had a memorable Fourth, too! πŸ™‚