And the Home of the Brave

Our  4th of July began with a trip to the mailbox.  Every holiday, my sister Kare takes a trip to the dollar store and fills mailing envelopes with holiday fun... for each kid.  They were so excited to walk in the door, each carrying their own package surprise.  Even Brynn got one.  :)  (Thanks Kare, you rock!)This time they got  red white and blue: candy, pencils, glow bracelets and more.  But the big hit was the patriotic tattoos.

 Usually they just slap one of them on their upper arm, but this time they wanted them all over.  I thought, Why not?  School's out, it's pretty much just like face painting, right?  But a heck of a lot easier. Well, here we are, 4 days later... still proud to be American.  :)

Brynn's package had this cute little red swimsuit, red and blue nail polish, and 2 bows that Kare made.  It was a little big, so we crossed the straps.  She only cried a little... oops. 

That evening we went to celebrate with my mom and dad.  The boys learned how to shuck some corn...

...while Bradley lost himself in the chips and dip.

Then we had a BBQ out on the deck.

My kids are so well-mannered at the dinner table.

They have such a nice view.

I guess Bradley was still hungry after dinner.

Bradley's game face.  Too bad he lost that courage when it was time for the fireworks.

Here's Kaleb trying so hard to do a handstand.  He's getting close!

And what's a party without a little Lego Indiana Jones?

Here's Mom making Brynnlee smile for the camera.  She's really good at that.

 

And what better way to celebrate America, than by playing America's favorite sport?

Here's a video... where I come very close to swearing in front of Mom and Dad.  Enjoy.

Here the kids are "riding horses."

Then it was time to shoot some fireworks.  We did it on the little walking path next to mom and dad's house.

This worked out great since Bradley was too scared to go out, but he could still watch if he wanted.

Getting setup.

Shooting off a parachute.  Can you see it in the distance?

Chasing after the parachute guy.

Bringing the parachute back to the safety of the water bucket.

Bradley didn't like the loud ones.  Thank goodness Dad has his own set of magnet blocks to make Bradley happy again.  :)

But he finally came out for the Sparklers.

Kaleb can't seem to use sparklers without belting out in some made-up song.  Last year's was something about the World.  But I love it.  :)

Mom is so good at making Brynn smile and talk.  :)

This year they legalized aerials.  With this nice of a view, we has us a pretty awesome show.  Fireworks shot up from everywhere in the valley.  Happy 4th!