Thankfully we went to see the fireworks last night since it's beginning to rain now and we are expecting thunderstorms all night. Luckily in our area they do it on the 3rd rather than the 4th. For years we have tried to see fireworks out of state while on vacation. However, we have found it's not nearly as fun when you go without family, friends or not being with people we see everyday in our community. This year ended up being a blast staying home and getting to see everyone we knew!!! Fireworks are fun but sharing them with friends are even better.
Jared immediately found our Pastor and his family out of the 5,000+ people. After many attempts of trying to wave wildly to get Pastor's attention Papa called him on the cell phone and told him to look down below. We, of course, were all waving wildly again so he would see us. Jared was tickled when he waved back at us and especially after Pastor told him on the cell phone "you enjoy the fireworks ok buddy?" 
Very sweet!
All of the kids enjoyed the fireworks. Phoebe was hesitant at first but then a BIG green one (her favorite color currently) came across the sky and she was then sold on the idea that fireworks were the best! She eventually bravely crawled right down on the blanket next to Caleb and Papa oooing and aaahing over each one. Jared was so excited that he couldn't even sit down! Literally he stood through the entire show! LOL He also wanted to know the logistics of how the fireworks were created and worked. Of course, the firetrucks and constant appearance of the police were the biggest highlights of his night! Chloe was not thrilled from the beginning as she tends to have anxieties socially as well as with big booms. She kept plugging her ears before they even began but by the middle of the show she was laying more relaxed in my lap calling out each color with my prompting.
At the end we caught up with our church friends to walk out with them. We also had an unexpected visit with one of our dear elderly ladies in our
church because we parked near her house. We couldn't get out of traffic
for about an hour. They said this year was the largest crowd we have ever
had and people were actually backed up on the exit ramp off the highway! WOW! Anyway,
seeing that Marianne was still up herself we decided to see if she was
up for a quick visit while we waited. It was a lovely ending to our night!
You won't believe that I didn't even take one picture last night. 
I do have a couple from today when I gave the kids their 4th of July flag pin wheels.
Three blew on it while Jared was figuring out to place it in the direction of the wind.
When the wind died down they made their own running as fast as they could! Remember being so free like this as a child? Those were the days!
"SEE MAMA IT WORKS!" Then she cooperated with me to get the face behind the spinning pin wheel.
Phoebe where is the wind? "Over there!" Then she gives a cute smile when the wind hits her pin wheel.
Now the wind changes direction!
Caleb figures out he can see himself on the other side of the pin wheel!
Jared gives it a try too! Yup, that's a handsome face of a proud American Citizen!
Happy 231st Birthday America!!!!
Good thing we have a nine year old who likes cameras or there would never be any pics of Mama and Papa together! I put it in black and white because we were right at sunset and completely orange. Anyway, we cleaned up our house on Friday for the realtor to be able to show it and then took off for a few days to camp. Eric actually worked on Sunday by traveling to speak at a now supporting church of our ministry. Other than that we took a few days just to be. Unfortunately, we had terrible weather with constant rain storms (which also equals Mama having a good migraine) but we made the best of it. The kids got to spend some time playing lots of games with their Mini (Grandmother) and we were also able to see several other family members and friends. I have more pics to share but this will do for tonight. Now I need a good night's sleep! Vacations are good but there is no place like home in my own bed. 
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