Can I celebrate Independence Day?

Independence Day! The day when you Americans celebrate booting out us British all those years ago. Or as we look at it, the day we decided to throw the war because it was much too long of a boat-ride to govern you funny-talking Yankees anyway. Seriously though, it was a wonderful weekend of beautiful fireworks and a new record at our house of the most concurrent meals served with hot dogs as a main course. I'm not proud of that last part.

We're live in a rural town, but within a subdivision where the houses are nicely spread out with just enough land to feel roomy. We are unfortunate enough to have a houseful of very annoying neighbors that live at the end of our street. Their teens drive entirely too fast, they throw loud parties constantly, someone in the house is learning the electric guitar, and they ride ATVs through everyone's yard late at night. But we put up with them because every July 4th they throw a huge bash with fireworks impressive enough to rival any small town. This bash seems to involve about 50 cars, three large tents and very loud music. We've never been invited to it, nor do we know anyone in the neighborhood who has been, but we do benefit from the pyrotechnic entertainment. The fireworks look amazing from our front yard, which is perfect when you've got two young children and a husband who doesn't like the crowds and traffic associated with large city fireworks displays.


I spent a good part of Independence Day afternoon fiddling with my SLR camera trying to get the perfect settings to take some awesome fireworks photos.


I think I got everything just right and set up my tripod in the front yard next to our front-row seating. We even had some little fireworks ourselves, which was good fun for the boys.

It's nice for the boys to experience the 4th from their own driveway. I don't think the boys realize how lucky they are to have such a great display only three houses down from us.


This morning the remnants of our little fireworks show littered our driveway and we now have a nice black burn mark covering half of the concrete. July 5th is all about cleaning up firework remnants, eating left-over burgers and hotdogs and just being thankful for a great weekend. I wonder if that's what the soldiers envisioned way back when? Probably not. I bet they didn't think a whole slew of Brit's would be partying down with their American friends on the big day either! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!