Journey

Happiness is a Journey, not a destination.


Namaste.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Our Independence Day Holiday...

Every year since Cole was young, on the 3rd of July he and his cousins would sleep out in his uncle's driveway.  The tradition has continued as the spouses and children came along, and now there's a rather large group of us who gather at Uncle Rex and Aunt Cathy's house with our kids, to relax, talk, play, and of course, light lots and lots of fireworks. 

This year I made Cake Pops, which were a great success. 

 
From July 2011


The adults all sat around in lawn chairs talking, while the kids (and me and Cole) played...

From July 2011

From July 2011


Alexa (Cole's cousin Tamron's daughter) was practicing her walk-overs, while my niece Alyssa and I watched/coached...
From July 2011

From July 2011


Then Alyssa decided to get into the act...
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From July 2011

From July 2011


Talia and Ainsley
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Cole and I played "Lightening" with the kids...

Out...
From July 2011


Shooting...
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I'm pleased to report that I beat everyone...including all my boys, in one game.  Yeah, we all know that Mom's the boss, but they didn't realize that I was also Da Bomb! :)
(Kyle did beat me in one game when I was a little less competitive)
From July 2011

Toward dusk, it was time for the sparklers...

My nephew Hunter
From July 2011


Talia was afraid of hers...
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From July 2011


Approaching dark...
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Cole always brings a tube of lightsticks for the kids...
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From July 2011


From July 2011


Alec and Hunter "sword" fight...
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My crazy (almost) 9 year old...
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(who, incidentally, burned his finger when he thought it would be a good idea to touch a burned out sparkler...)

From July 2011


"I'm a walrus!"
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From July 2011


And finally, it was dark enough for fireworks...
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We very much enjoyed being able to do the arial fireworks this year...
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From July 2011

From July 2011


After we were done lighting fireworks, I got Cole and the kids settled, and I went home to sleep (because I had to work the 4th).  It was a really fun night with Cole's family! 

Oh, and of course, I had to get a picture of my house before I left for work...
From July 2011


God Bless the USA! 

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