the fourth

Our family fourth of July picture!

I was taking a picture of Neil and the boys at the parade and a lady near us asked us if she could take the picture so we could have a picture of the whole family! I gladly responded, "yes! I never get to be in any of the pictures. I would love that!" After much fussing with trying to get just the right shot, she took the picture. I didn't check it. Later that evening Neil asked me if I looked at the pic. I said no, because it was so awkward I did not want her to have to take another; just one picture of all of us on the 4th would be fine. We were on the way home at 10:30 after the fireworks and I was checking the pictures and this is what I found! It is a really great picture of our family. I am glad I am in it!

the other parade picture! Swimming with the boys at the Dacus party

Mitchell's first sparkler! Once it was lit he quickly handed it to me and in near panic exclaimed, "Its fire!" He would not have any part of it! That is as close as he got!

We watched the fireworks at the church parking lot with the Burkett family. I stayed too long at my family party and we missed the Saywers viewing party! ("So that's where you were") Mark had been crying and coughing and very miserable, so when he fell asleep in the car we did not want to wake him. Neil was upset about missing the Sawyers party because he likes to play volleyball! I nicely asked if we could drive somewhere and watch the fireworks from the car while Mark slept. We ended up at church and were chatting with the Burketts when the show began. Neil woke up Mark so he would not be scared in the car. Mark really likes fireworks. It is one of the few times he would sit still in our laps. Mitchell joined in the family tradition of yelling, "That's my favorite!" at the fireworks! He was a natural! We had a good time despite the change of plans! Sorry, Tom, that we missed your party!