HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Rarely does a day go by that I don’t thank God for allowing me to live in this great country. The Fourth of July is certainly for celebrating the freedom & liberty that we enjoy as citizens of the United States…but it is also for sharing time with family & friends.

This was our first Fourth of July with Charley Ellen AND the first one with the kids living ten miles away AND this year Allison’s parents were visiting from New Mexico.  Lou & I decided to celebrate by inviting them all over for a backyard pool party & barbecue in true Fourth of July fashion!

Allison & Charley - Charley was in a pool before but didn't want to "swim".

This time our cutie pie turned out to be a real little swimmer. Look out for our little Olympian in 16 years!

The whole gang - Lou on the mattress; Darrin; Allison's parents, Nancy & John; Allison & Charley.

Charley swimming between Mommy & Oma.

Charley kicked her legs & had a great time - the adults were thoroughly entertained. :-)

 Following the swimming & eating, we all headed to Darrin & Allison’s for a fireworks extravaganza!  Darrin loves fireworks but they have been illegal in the Bay Area since he was a little kid.  Imagine his delight to find out that they are legal in Rocklin. He was like a kid in a candy store & bought a big box of assorted TNT pyrotechnics.

We did practice safe & sane fireworks procedures - water at the ready, a candle lighter & an able assistant in John to dispose of the used cones. Darrin rigged up some John Phillip Souza music to play in the background & we were ready.

Darrin & his fireworks - the kid always did love fire & explosives!

Some of the spectators waiting for the show. Charley insisted on staying up even though it was past her bedtime.

Finally it was dark enough & the first firework was lit.

I was the official photographer & used the firework setting on my camera.

Amazingly, Charley didn't get scared or upset but seemed enthralled watching the fireworks with her mom. One fountain was really loud with extremely bright flashes of fire so Allison covered Charley's eyes to protect them. Charley grabbed her hand and pulled it down as if to say, "Move your hand, Mom, I can't see."

Charley Ellen relaxing between pyrotechnic displays.

Watching Daddy set off some pretty spectacular entertainment.

I was getting a little better at capturing the sparkles.

Lou provided the grand finale with the O-Blivion fountain.

A great day was had by all - Charley made it about 3/4 of the way through the fireworks before Mom said it was time for bed. What a great gift to spend the day with the people I love most! Happy 236th Birthday, America - Darrin was born on our country's bicentennial in 1976 so it's easy to know the exact year! Happy Fourth of July!

The end of a great fireworks display - fantastic job, D!

The pyro crew - Lou, Darrin & John.