What did you do for the 4th?

**5ft Diva** · #1 07-04-2007, 11:35 PM

I was just wondering what everyone did for the Fourth of July this year. We had a BBQ w/ some friends and did games and fireworks afterwards. It was a lot of fun.

Today BS took my four oldest boys to the MX track to ride and play so I was here w/ my youngest son. While Son #5 was napping I had some time to really reflect on the freedoms I enjoy every day. I have so much gratitude in my heart for the opportunity to live in a free country. I think of all the places there are in the world to live and this is where I end up. What are the chances of that? According to ol' Darwin Cook, it's 100%...and I agree. The phrase, "where much is given, much is expected" keeps coming to mind. I have been given so much and do my best to find my purpose in life so as to give back what only I can give and contribute in a way that only I can contribute. It's the least I can do.

Happy Fourth everyone!

***Big_Sissy*** · #2 07-05-2007, 12:14 AM

Great evening. And I loved the drive home. Talk about nice.

I got some great pictures too.

***Big_Sissy*** · #3 07-05-2007, 12:43 AM

Just thought I'd post up the pictures I took.

I think a lot of these turned out pretty dang good. I'm too tired to touch any of them up, so these are all "as shot"

However, if anyone wants any, I can send you the ones you want and I'll touch them up before doing so.

4th of July 2007

Some of my favorites:

mmmm She is HOT!

Mamallama · #4 07-05-2007, 01:18 AM

....Love them!! (note my new smiley ability)

I know what you mean 5D. I feel the same way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

We had a great day...watched my daughter dance in the hometown parade this morning. Then we had a picnic with some old friends we hadn't seen in a long time----lit off fireworks----talked the night away----laughed so hard that I cried----All and all had a great time!! Just got home....and of course had to check the latest updates on BnS before heading of to bed!

LostnFound · #5 07-05-2007, 07:18 AM

Our family went to the local parade with all of my family that lives in Tooele. We went to the local carnival and my two girls won new pet frogs that they are so excited about that they even tried to sleep with them last night. Went to see the new Pixar movie "Ratatouille".

We had my family over for a BBQ and then went to Grantsville to see the fireworks. We had a truly wonderful and full day. The kids were exhausted. It was our year with our boys and I always enjoy the holidays more when we are all together as a family.

I also had some time on Tuesday evening to reflect on my freedoms. I love this country and I love the city I live in and my neighborhood. It was a fabulous holiday.

LostnFound · #6 07-05-2007, 07:19 AM

PS:

Great pictures. It looked like so much fun.

**5ft Diva** · #7 07-05-2007, 11:26 AM

LnF, as a kid, I loved days like the one you had yesterday. It was the "Don't stop til you drop" mentality and it was jam packed w/ fun. I'm glad you had a great time.

bookworm · #8 07-05-2007, 11:55 AM

These stories are great! I bawled all through "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Sunday thinking about the same things- we are so blessed to be in this great land!!!

We went to see "Ratatouille" on Tuesday, since my DH had to work yesterday, and we thought it was really cute. Tuesday is DH's day off of work, so we do outings that day.

On the 4th, DH got off work at 5:00 (3 hours early!) so I cooked a huge dinner and it was just us, we really enjoyed it. Usually we have friends over, but not this year. It was fun. Then DS#1 and #2 set up chairs in the driveway for about 10 people, set out all their fireworks (they bought a bunch this year) and as soon as it was dark enough we set them all off. A few friends stopped by and we had a nice visit. It was a relaxing, joyous holiday for us. My kids declared it the best 4th of July yet. (Boys really respond to large quantities of good food!

)

Your pics are great, BS, looks like a ton of fun!

PhillyGirl · #9 07-05-2007, 12:00 PM

Well, I spent the day in the wonderful city that founded this wonderful free country. My family and another family took the train downtown. There was all sorts of good food and game vendors along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. So we ate and played and then watched the parade. We had great seats for the concert and fireworks but we got rained out. So with kids in tow we ran the few blocks back to the train and made it home to watch the fireworks on tv. It was so fun to be down there and walk the streets were it all got started.

bookworm · #10 07-05-2007, 12:03 PM

PG, that is a great experience! Sounds really interesting and educational to live there!

PhillyGirl · #11 07-05-2007, 12:09 PM

I really should take more advantage of it then I do. I am only going to be living here for a few more years and I need to get it all in while I can. It is so easy to become complacent. I have to keep telling myself that people spend lots of money on plane tickets and hotels just to come and see what is practically in my backyard.
But I do have to say that we had a blast last night and I am going to start utilizing the city and the surrounding area a lot more.

***Big_Sissy*** · #12 07-05-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookworm

My kids declared it the best 4th of July yet. (Boys really respond to large quantities of good food!

)

Your pics are great, BS, looks like a ton of fun!

And don't forget the large quantities of fireworks

**5ft Diva** · #13 07-05-2007, 04:31 PM

BW, sounds fun. Those intimate moments w/ just your family are priceless, sometimes I wish I had more of them. BS does a pretty good job of securing days like that for us around here.

PG, I totally understand what you're talking about. In the past I would think that vacations were so expensive because I would have to go so far from home and one day realized I can vacation here w/in my own state. We have got some amazing things to do here in UT.

PG, I would love to come visit PA sometime in my life. I feel the same way about Boston. Just out of curiosity, for someone not from the area, what would you declare as "Must Sees"?

PhillyGirl · #14 07-05-2007, 04:58 PM

You should come visit Philly. It is hard to say the must sees. It depends on if you are just talking about Philly and the surrounding area or the greater surrounding area. If your in Philly you should the liberty bell and Independence Hall. You can't tell people that you came here and didn't see those. You should see Valley Forge. If you are looking at the whole east coast then NYC is two hours north and DC is three hours south. Gettysburg is a few hours west of Philly and that is amazing; you would want the good part of a day for that one. Hershey Park is two hours west and that is a great one for kids. And you have to visit Amish country. The food is to die for and there are fun little shops and buggy rides. Plus, you can always gawk at the Amish themselves

Well, this is what I have got so far but as I start doing more I will let you know of the fun things there are to do right here in Philly and the surrounding areas.

***Big_Sissy*** · #15 07-05-2007, 05:07 PM

That really would be cool to go to Philly, and see a LOT of the area that our founding fathers were at. It would certainly be cool.

**5ft Diva** · #16 07-05-2007, 06:20 PM

Sounds great to me. I'll start saving my pennies!

***Big_Sissy*** · #17 07-05-2007, 06:43 PM

We're going to need a lot more than pennies

amberpatomo · #18 07-05-2007, 07:35 PM

We had a delicious BBQ with family. My husband grilled some roast meat that was sooooo tender

We didn't do fireworks this year because last year we bought a lot and our oldest daughter hated them. She screamed when they went off. We are planning to do them next year, hopefully.

My mother soaked me with the hose so I chased her down to get her back. Unfortunately she stood in my patio doorway so I couldn't spray

It was a lot of fun. I did get my husband pretty wet.

I am thankful for my family and for the chance to be affiliated with 2 great countries.

Dia Minha · #19 07-05-2007, 08:23 PM

Sounds like everyone had a wonderful 4th. We spent the day together as a family. We were invited to several bar-b-ques and we appreciated the thought, however, we decided we wanted to just spend a quiet day at home.

We spent a couple of hours out in the backyard, hitting golf balls, and "swimming" (it's not really swimming if you can't even get your belly off the bottom of the pool, but it was still cool and fun). We had the american favorite, hotdogs, chips and root beer for dinner. I made rice krispie treats and used red, white, and blue sprinkles to make them more festive. My seven year old took a big bite and stated "These are so much better than the regular ones." It is amazing what a little color will do huh? Then we piled in the van to go watch the fire works.

I don't know who it is that does the Tooele display every year, but this year they really out did themselves. It was so amazingly, beautiful, it actually made me cry. They had several fires and two of their water trucks looked like they weren't working, so we had the added excitement of having the fire department along with a few volunteer firemen join us for the celebration. At one point I think the fire on the ground was more exciting than the fire works in the sky.

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a holiday this much. I need to remember that it is easier to enjoy a celebration, when it is kept simple, and apply it to every holiday.

Dia

Oh, by the way, I loved the pictures. It looks like it was a blast.

smed · #20 07-05-2007, 10:02 PM

I loved the pictures you posted BS! IT looks like you guys had alot of fun.
We went to my mom's and put up the kiddy pool and a slip n'slid for the kids, they swam all afternoon. We had a BBQ and did fire works. It's always fun to be around family. We had a lot of good laughts. My favorite was when we were doing fire works and me and my sister-in-law started singing "I'm proud to be an american" This really made me think of how greatful I am to be free and for all the men and women who are helping in that effort.