So, how do you celebrate our nation's birthday? Do you have some sort of family tradition that you follow every year? A picnic? Parade? Pool? Fireworks?
For several years, Marty and I have enjoyed seeing the local home town parade where we meet up with old friends while sitting along the oak-lines streets in a neighborhood where the houses are over 100 years old. The men in the firetrucks toss tootsie roll candies out of the window while the little tykes scramble to collect them. People dress up their dogs and their babies, and march along with the bands and entertaining floats. For me....it's always been the "Polyanna" moment. Always a LOT of fun!
But this year was different. And exciting. And even more FUN!
For the first time in this family's history.....all 3 grandchildren were together, under one roof!
It was the first opportunity for the cousins to meet, and for the Great grandparents to visit with all at the same time.
Doesn't that photo make you wish that you were with us as well?
It was a terrific day with typical American fare: Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.
A little baseball
A photo? Really?
But then, everything fell into sync
For several years, Marty and I have enjoyed seeing the local home town parade where we meet up with old friends while sitting along the oak-lines streets in a neighborhood where the houses are over 100 years old. The men in the firetrucks toss tootsie roll candies out of the window while the little tykes scramble to collect them. People dress up their dogs and their babies, and march along with the bands and entertaining floats. For me....it's always been the "Polyanna" moment. Always a LOT of fun!
But this year was different. And exciting. And even more FUN!
For the first time in this family's history.....all 3 grandchildren were together, under one roof!
It was the first opportunity for the cousins to meet, and for the Great grandparents to visit with all at the same time.
It was a terrific day with typical American fare: Hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.
A little baseball
And the perfect opportunity for some cousin photos!
At first, it appeared that getting a good shot just might be a challenge.
But then, everything fell into sync
And that moment lasted about 10 seconds before someone decided that she'd had quite enough of it.
This day was also a first for the "Big" cousin in the group, because he was allowed to stay up for fireworks. The nearby country club is only a block away, and the front yard here is the perfect venue for viewing the spectacular display.
At 9:30, we were relaxing outside when the first boom came.
There were oohs and aahhhs and then a sprinkle or two. Hmmmm.....was it supposed to rain?
Then, another boom
and even more oohs and aahhs, and with each new boom, sprinkles turned to showers.
And, then, showers turned into deluge! Does it figure? It didn't rain all day, but as soon as the fireworks began, the water decided to fall!
And, wouldn't you know it, just as the grand finale was displayed in the sky, the rain suddenly stopped. I managed to get this photo, which isn't too bad, considering the camera delay.
What a great way to end the day: Wet, a little wild and Wonderful!
I hope that your 4th was equally exciting!
I loved your celebration. It reminded me of so many times of how my family always celebrated the 4th. I loved the pictures of the great grandparents and the babies. So sweet, such a blessing for the adults to see another generation growing up.
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