Happy 4th!

Kids across the street came over to watch us light the fiery death traps. No injuries, only mosquito bites.

The 4th

sparkly explosives

crafty hair band

brothers

cousins and cows

blueberries from mom mom's bush

boys w/ their glowing "nun chucks"

found out what happens when you break open a glow stick and pour it in a jar

perfect night lights for a sleep over

4th

So all this actually took place on the 3rd, but that's how it is around here. You don't actually have to celebrate the 4th on the 4th. I've adjusted to this. Anywho....we spent it with Dave and Liz who will love this pic I have of them chewing our yum dinner of steak, sweet potato fries, sweet corn and pasta salad. The weather was gorgeous and the kitchen was hot so we dined alfresco.

We then sat outside to watch distant fireworks that turned out to be more distant than I thought they were, but we could still see them lower on the horizon. The kids were crawling all over Dennis.

He was mesmerized.

No. This is NOT a body someone dumped in our yard. It's my husband who can fall asleep anywhere. I almost left him there all night, for fun....then I thought better of it.

Happy 4th 08

In honestly I had resolved that the 4th of July around here would just suck and I'd have to deal with it. There are rarely any convenient fireworks actually on the fourth. The fact is that growing up in Btown, we had the best Independence Day. Community spirit overflowed as we piled onto the lawn of the high school football field and stretched out the orange blanket to bask in the firework lit sky. Not to mention there were always free popsicles, the orange and red ones we called Big Sticks. I loved it. Though even that has changed, a new location, a new show, things change. However, in my state of acceptance, our fourth of July turned out to be rather nice. Friday night we had dear friends call and offer us KFC. The greasiness was good and the meal was rounded off with fresh green beans from the neighbor's garden, salad (lettuce from my MIL's garden) and watermelon. I was excited because I was sure I had sparklers and then Dennis approaches me with a look asking me if I actually opened the cylinder container. I did not, but glow sticks are safer anyway!


Our guest, O-man showing off his glow stick. That smile..could I get that on a plate? yum.


So the next night we ended up going to a firework show with some friends. Despite the traffic, distance, and expensive food, it was a good show and I'm very glad we went. They played "Proud to Be an American" which for some reason I cannot listen to with a dry eye. V was a champ and only started to fuss during the finale, otherwise he just stared up at the sky.

He's finishing of Den's milkshake, not drinking french fries.


My kids hate loud things (j seems to have gotten over it) and so this year we were prepared.


Ready to start!


The friends we went with brought glow sticks for all, but when E's didn't work Matt went and bought this fancy doo-hickey for her. Totally unnecessary, extremely generous. We had fun playing with the different settings on my camera.





I love this! Sweet family shot of our friends Matt, Jen and Madison.


Have I mentioned how much J loves his brother?


Dearest Tina has graciously allowed us to use her exersaucer. New fun for V!

4th of July

I know the 4th is quite past but I had to share these just the same. We spent the actual 4th with D's parents and some friends. The following saturday we went to fireworks.





"mommy, take a picture of me with all my stuff"


E with cousins Ava & Elliot


E preparing for the fireworks