fireworks with friends

july 4th was a much needed uneventful day at home. after dinner, we continued our tradition of meeting friends down by the marina for fireworks... but this year (since we now live closer to the marina), we began a new tradition: walking to the fireworks! a few of the men took our vans and trucks down there first thing monday morning, so our spots were staked out, and we had coolers and chairs ready to go. we met up with jonathan and tammy's family about 7:00 and headed down to the marina. you can see the big kids on bikes way down the street...


we met up with jonathan's side of the family about halfway. the company on our walk was wonderful...


and the scenery was not so bad either!


the kids thought it was pretty neat to cross over the drawbridge.


we finally made it to the marina, and the kids wasted no time getting out the sparklers.


my 6 year old with his sparkler!


when the sparklers ran out, it was on to the poppers...


and finally the show started!


i really think sweet ethan will be holding his ears as a grown man. :)



i cracked up at amelia's cheeks with these headphones on... chubby, chubby!!!


it was only a matter of time before chubby chubby was in my lap. she calmly said, "too wowd!" over and over throughout the show. amelia did not let go of my arm, which made eating popcorn quite a challenge. (but i managed.)



the noisy fireworks didn't bother little miss caroline one bit. she danced the night away, with her hand on her hip just like this.


the girls were so sweet to watch as the fireworks boomed overhead. their dancing, squeals, and laughter were the perfect touch to our celebration of freedom.




as i watched caroline spin around with her friends, i could not help but be thankful that my daughter's greatest concern for the moment was dancing just right to the independence day music. praise God for our freedoms as americans.



God bless america!