Happy Birthday USA!

Our 4th of July was fairly typical. In the morning we went to a pancake breakfast put on by our church. Thankfully they weren't able to get the charcoal grills going in time so they actually used griddles to cook the pancakes. There's just something about a pancake that's cooked on a BBQ that makes it taste not right. But we had fun hanging out and chatting with friends.

We spent the rest of the day at home. It was another hot and humid day. The kind where it's best to just sit inside.

After dinner we ventured out to stake our claim to a fireworks watching spot.

I find it funny that we will go and sit for 3 hours just to watch 20 minutes of fireworks. But the kids were excited. We got a spot right on the riverfront right by where they shot of the fireworks.

We gave the kids glowsticks to keep them occupied. They had lots of fun with those.

And then the fireworks. The first one made both the kids jump. Alex loved them.

He kept saying, "Oh, pretty!" It was cute.

Ella kept complaining that they were too loud and were waking her up from her nap. What a goof. But she liked them too.

Then once it was all over we sat in the parking lot for 45 minutes before we were able to get on the streets and get home. Fireworks must be really special to warrant all that waiting!

But since it was the 4th, I just thought I'd add how much we love living in this country. We have so many wonderful freedoms and opportunities. Happy Birthday America!!