Happy Independence Day

Better late than never....but we had a great 4th of July. A little low key, but we had fun (minus the excruciating Arizona heat!). We spent the morning doing as we usually do and the boys had late naps so they could make it through the evening events.

Shell and Rich came over for a little BBQ, at which we had some VERY overdone hot dogs...at least we knew we wouldn't get sick from them. My sweet husband has possibly learned a little too much about microbiology and now feels that we must boil the hot dogs before we BBQ them in order for them to be safe. He just forgot how FAST they would grill up after they had already been boiled. That made for some pretty leathery dogs. But a soft bun, ketchup, and some cheese sure made them tasty!

We ventured off to Schnepf Farm for some Independence Day celebrating. We had to be there at seven because the school Bry works for was having a booth and he had to be there from 7-10. There was hardly anyone there when we got there...and for good reason. It was still sweltering HOT! The sun had not set yet and it was pretty humid on top of it all. We were sticky, sweating, hot, red, hot, uncomfortable, hot, thirsty....did I mention hot? It got quite a bit better after the sun set and that was when the crowds trickled in. We had a nice spot by Bry's booth so he could join us for the fireworks at 9. We were kept busy keeping track of Drew, walking the boys around, and eating popcorn.

The fireworks were nice - not the most amazing show, but pretty good. It didn't help that the music went out about half way through. Andrew was VERY nervous about them to start. I was worried he was not going to do so well, but he just snuggled in and covered his ears and enjoyed the colors. He kept saying what color they were and would say "nice, nice". I covered Carter's ears in the beginning, but then he got used to it. We covered them again during the finale, but overall he really like them! He was glued to the sky.

Since we were at a booth we were able to come in a secret way, which means we went out the secret way and avoided all the traffic! Hooray!!! It was so nice to be able to just go home and not have to sit there forever.

I had made a red, white, and blue cake for the day, but we were so tired that we didn't end up eating it until the next day, but boy was it good! I think next year I will go with keeping the cake white instead of dying it blue, get more of a white colored pudding for the middle and then coloring the whipped topping blue - but any way it is made - it is quite a tasty cake!!!

Happy Independence Day! I am so grateful to be able to live in this country and for all who have sacrificed so much for my freedom. I know I have been given so much and need to remember all that has gone into making the life I live now so wonderful. I love our Country and those who serve. What a wonderful holiday!