My favorite holiday...

A perfect new "Fourth". Our old tradition was a well oiled machine; breakfast at Sister Cain's, parade in Bear Valley, eat food (that we didn't want to cook ourselves) at the park, and bad bulls and fireworks at night. With that deeply ingrained tradition we were all a little worried we wouldn't have anything to do this year. Luckily the Fourth of July is just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny; it magically finds you no matter where you go.



This year we made omelets for a late breakfast. When we were done, we got in the car to head to the lake. It was Justin and Cache's first day home in 30-40 some odd days. Hy showed his appreciation that they were back by NOT letting go of Justin's arm. He held him tight the whole way.


The lake was uncrowded and WARM. Who knew lakes could be warm?? As in Nat-Soo-Pah warm. Amazing. (I guess it's only common sense when they have no glaciers melting into them. But still, who'd have thunk?) We had chicken fights (which I am CHAMPION....if the person under me weighs more than 150 pounds.), picnic-ed, and floated in a circle visiting about everything under the sun. Ok, that part was minus Pal who had found a friend, and Hydn who was busy throwing sand at us.
When we were beginning to feel the burn we came home to start our feast. While it was slow cooking we went to our tiny little theatre to watch a movie. We played "Revolutionary War Quiz" on the way back, and came home to food even better than the Kiwanis can prepare it.


We sat on the trampoline afterwards and waited for it to get dark.
We waited.
And waited.
"Is it dark enough?" was said almost more than "are we there yet?"
Finally it looked ready. We started with sparklers...

And then when true darkness finally arrived, we headed for the dock on the pond. With the fireflies reflecting on the water it was the perfect setting. Calder and Bert were so inspired they attempted to provide a choreographed accompaniment. You can imagine how well that worked. Their croaking was amply rewarded though, when we set off our collection. They were actual fireworks. Not ones that you have to use your imagination and cross your eyes to view. Not ones that grow like a worm. These were the REAL DEAL. As in, 'you need a fireman present for these' fireworks. Whoa! Oklahoma you are AWESOME! And Justin served as our firefighter well enough... He managed to get it out anyway. Way to go, Justin. My hero, twice in two months.
What a great day. What a great Fourth. What a great holiday. Thanks to all who've gifted it to me.