4 Chouinards in a Parade

Today was the The Dalles Rodeo Parade. Paul drove a 2009 Convertable Ford Mustang for his Kiwanis Club in the Parade. David, Elijah and Ann got to ride in it too. They had the best time ever! It was so much fun! They all had turns hearing different friends yell their names as they drove through town. Paul had a blast driving the car around town. He picked it up at a friend's house with the older kids, drove it to the Parade, through the Parade and then back the looooong way to his friend's house. Hannah, Mary and I watched the Parade and as always we loved every minute of it! Especially the part when we saw Daddy and brothers and sister!!

Parade Ribbon- "Family" Category

A Rodeo Queen stopped her horse and got right up to us to give Hannah this Teddy Bear.

The tag is autographed by the Rodeo Queen.

The Parade threw so much candy at us that at one point I yelled (nicely) "That's enough!! Please stop!" Hannah couldn't keep up! We walked away with a half a bag of candy!

It felt like Halloween!

Mary watching the Parade

The girls and I watched the Parade in front of our Salvation Army building with our new friend, Bill, the homeless guy. I gave him water and some food to get him through the weekend until Social Services open up and we can do more (shower, vouchers, etc.). I was worried about him getting dehydrated in all this heat so I made sure he drank at least one bottle during the Parade. When I jokingly complained about having to pick up all the candy myself because the older kids were in the parade, he helped pick up every single piece to give to Hannah. I thought he would be kind of scary to her... but wait a minute... she's an Officer's kid... she's used to people like that!! Ha!ha!

It was just another typical day at the Army! I love being an Officer! (Thank you Lord!)