As I said, fast on the heels of our third son's birthday came this year's 250th Independence Day celebrations. Because we've been hit was some pretty hefty medical bills over the years, and the various boys have their expenses and lives and all, we were going to cut back on the fireworks that have become a thing ever since they were legalized here in the Buckeye State. But then we decided it just wasn't right, to cut out doing our own fireworks on none other than our 250th birthday as a nation. No way! So my oldest found a buy 1, get 2 free deal and we jumped on it.
Don't worry, we practice safe fireworks. We don't get the monstrous kind. Usually the type that make pretty lights displays. We divided the whole celebration over two days. On July 4th proper we went out while our town was setting off their own alternate fireworks display. Even toned down, it was a pretty good show. Better than some of the televised ones I'm sad to say. And leaps better than the trash heap that has become Columbus's vaunted Red, White and Boom over the years (including this one).
The next day, we had a grand multi-family cookout with my son's in-laws. That's the parents and one, two, three and four of their sons. That's right. The gremlins have six uncles. I'm not worried for their well being in the upcoming years.
It was a great time. One of those weekends where everything seemed to work. We even let the kiddos see some of the fireworks early on, particularly the quiet ones. Their reactions are still being analyzed. Otherwise, a fine time. Because of schedules and folks going their own ways, we didn't have the usual 'patriotic viewing' of old. But through July we'll try to catch up on a few things.
One other odd note. Some years it was customary for us to visit our big local cemetery and go around to the veterans, much like Memorial and Veterans Day. Even if it would have been only our youngest with us. But they had the cemetery closed on July 4th. I've not seen that before. Strange. I can't help but wonder why. But otherwise, a July 4th in our own humble way to be worthy of this country we've inherited on its 250th birthday.
And now the pictures!
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| Impromptu baby cleaning with a couple of the uncles from the other family - six in all, and not an aunt between them |
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| Washing baby bucket is what happens when babies eat July 4th picnics |
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| My new official favorite pic of her |
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| Dueling with giant sparklers - don't try this at home people |
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| Looking more like a Victorian mystery than 4th of July |
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| Our three oldest introduce our daughter-in-law to the more dangerous ways to handle a sparkler |
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| Our youngest tries to get fancy |
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| Bad photo from dim lighting, but I like the effect |
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| A Griffey family tradition: Build sculptures of sparklers and then burn away, trying to compete with the sun if we can |
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| Another new tradition is run before the fireworks explode |
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| A shot of our little finale for the year - a fine time |
Though I seldom post any home videos, I figured it would be apropos to post this, the last of the fireworks we set off in our own humble display. Happy 250th Birthday!
Great photos, Dave. Yeah, that picture of your granddaughter with the "CHEESE!!!!" smile is priceless. How I loved those times when my kids did the same. Here's to hoping for grandkids as well!! My son turned 14 on July 4th. It was a very nice time, though he's finding more ways to spend time with friends... he still has a soft spot for family. Wish I could have said the same for me when I was 14.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the fact that the boys, no matter how busy, try to find at least some time to still hang out with the family as a whole, and try to hang out with each other. Our youngest is fast approaching 17, and hopefully that trend will continue. I think if your teenager wants to hang out with the parents, we call that a win!
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ReplyDeleteYour son married the only girl out of 7?? She has SIX brothers?
Boy he was lucky. They must have really liked him. ;)
The gremlins may be well taken care of, but with 6 uncles I can't promise they won't stay out of jail. At least they'll have good company in the cell. XD
(What's the old saying? "Dad is the one who bails you out, Uncle is the one sitting in there with you.")
Heh. That certainly seems plausible. But I don't know. They're awfully protective of them. Woe betide someone who tries to do anything to them when the uncles are near! And then you have our dog, the boxer-pit bull mix, who stands constant vigil whenever the kids are around. They can jump on her, play with her, probably hit her with a club and she just takes it. But I think if I even joked and played around like I was going to lunge at them she would take my arm off.
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