Celebrating our Country's Birthday

Independence Day.  This holiday always comes at the peak of John's busy season and that always challenges us in balancing work and rest.  This year was no different.  But to say our first Southern Fourth of July was a hit would be an understatement. John worked a half day and then we set out to relax.  Jozsef took a house/pet sitting job for the week so we had to make proper arrangements to include him.  The people he was house sitting for allowed for us to use their fun amenities so we excitedly added them into our holiday schedule.  John worked until lunch so after everyone was fed, we met up with Jozsef at the house.  This gave us an opportunity to be with Jozsef but also for the dog he was sitting to get proper attention.  For much of the afternoon we enjoyed the pool the family gave us access to and then gave the dog another break while she played with the kids in the family's backyard (that's what I call a two-fer because they have a dog and an awesome backyard, two things my kids miss and appreciate, and the dog was enjoying the kids because her family was away).

Well worn and somewhat sun kissed/burned, we went home for dinner and fireworks. We grilled (because, well America and a summer holiday) :-) and then watched Will Smith fight aliens in Independence Day the movie (which is becoming a new tradition for us) until it was dark enough to light fireworks.  This year, being that we have a free state for pyrotechnic fun, we took advantage of the freedom and purchased what I think was the largest firework package we've ever had to date.

We spent about the next hour and a half lighting our charges and enjoying the sounds and colorful sights.  The college neighbors across the street from us joined us at some point with a large flag and some great big mortars.  The kids were thrilled.  It was a pretty grand sight for a street show. 

They set up these spectator chairs and I don't think they sat their excited butts in them once :-) 

For as many big charges as we had, we also had plenty of smaller ones that all of the kids were able to participate in setting off. 

The firework pictures never turn out as brilliant as the actual scene our eyes take in.  I did manage to get a few short video clips that turned out well, but sadly video and this blog don't seem to be very compatible these days. 

The clean up took a bit, but was well worth it.  John took Jozsef back to the house he was sitting for and I took the kids in to clean up.  The night was hot and we had to spray down for bugs so cleaning us was as necessary as cleaning the street.  :-)  We finished our movie (those who did not fall asleep did anyway) and called it a night.  The day wasn't the parade, fair, and fireworks I had imagined but it was a great day none the less.  Here's to another year of life in a first world country!  Happy Birthday America!