Celebrating the 4th on the 3rd

Our 4th of July traditions have changed thru out the years.  When the kids were young, we would gather at a friend's house, always have a traditional 4th of July meal, ie hamburgers & hotdogs, enjoy a relaxing afternoon and then join the crowds for the fireworks.  We would ooh & ahh over the beautiful bursts of color and when the last big boom concluded and the smoke began to clear from the sky we then manipulated our way home thru those same crowds, making plans to return next year.

As the kids became teenagers, they thought it was more fun to join their friends for the 4th of July fireworks, so Gary & I would sometimes crawl on the roof of our house and watch the fireworks from afar, but as the trees grew taller and taller, the view of the explosions became less and less. 

As the years passed, Lisa & Sam married, had their children (our grandchildren)  and once again the 4th of July became a family get-together.  In the early years they would gather at our home eating that same traditional 4th of July food and around 8:30 PM we would grab our lawn chairs and drive to either Naperville or Lisle's display of fireworks.  Years passed and the celebration was now at Lisa & Sam's....same food, same fireworks, different location. 

Now we are gathering at Lisa's on the 3rd of July instead of the 4th.  The grandchildren are all grown-up so they have their own plans, Lisa and Sam attend a party at her BFF's home and Gary and I stay home....sometimes walking a couple of blocks to see the Lisle fireworks, but usually staying at home and enjoying the big productions on TV.  I know it is not the same as seeing them in person, but as I said, traditions change.  Have your traditions changed over the years??

I am happy to report that as we were driving to Lisa's we noticed that the corn is definitely growing...I was a little worried at the beginning of the summer with all of our cool, wet weather that the corn would shrivel on the stalk and we would not get a taste of heaven with butter dripping down the sides.  It is certainly not as tall as an elephants eye on the 4th of July, but there is hope.

Look who greeted us as we arrived at Lisa & Sam's....Charlie!!  Oh he is just sooo cute, gentle, playful.  I could have just taken him home with us, not sure what Toby would say tho.

Brandon and Hilary have adopted Charlie from another family who unfortunately, began to suffer from allergies and had to find another owner for Charlie.  Charlie is almost 5 years old, so he has been house-broken, the puppiness is gone, so he is happy just to sleep all day while Hilary & Brandon are at work....all in all a perfect pet.  Brandon acts like a proud new Dad.  If he acts this way with a dog, I can imagine how he will act when they have their first child.  (soon this Great Grandma is hoping)

 Sunny was the only one not happy to see Charlie.  I can just imagine what Sunny must be thinking...."oh brother, first it's Toby, now it's Charlie."  But as the afternoon progressed Sunny and Charlie pretty much ignored each other. 

Hilary, just chillin...

Brie and Ryan (usually always together).  Brie had her hair cut in preparation for their trip to Bermuda.  I love her hair cut this short, only wish I could wear mine like that  Brie has great hair, can you say thick!! 

This is Bailey, rather Bailey's foot.  Bailey does not like to have her picture taken...

I liked the nail polish that Lisa had sitting outside on the table,  so I helped myself and polished my toenails.  Note the brand-name of the polish, "Studio M".....that is the name of Lisa's dance studio.  FUN!!

  

Two yummy salads Lisa served with the traditional 4th of July hamburgers...

Let the games begin ....... 



Look at that face....total concentration!!

The mosquitos were bad....



While the kids were playing I shot a few more photos of Lisa's garden. 

Lisa and Sam...they are all getting excited to leave on their cruise to Bermuda.  Lisa's Dance Troupe, consisting of approximately 20 girls, all ages from 4-20 are performing on the ship.  Two years ago she took a group to Disneyland to dance with great success.  Quite a few of the parents join them so it is one big party from beginning to end.  They leave this Thursday and return the following Thursday.  When Lisa was a teenager she danced with a teacher that would take a group to Europe .  Lisa was one of the lucky ones that was able to make that trip...they danced all over Europe, Germany France, England.  She has such wonderful memories of that opportunity that she decided to make her own memories as a dance instructor to take her girls on fun performing trips.  

And the old people.....

The party was over...Brie & Ryan left to go to 2 other parties, Bailey and her main man, Shane, left to clean his apartment (yoaza (SP??) that sounds like fun, but I guess any thing is fun when you are with your main man)   We decided it was time to drive home after a serving of peach cobbler and ice cream...a good day.  Hope everyone had a good 3rd and 4th of July!!

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its Independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."           Erma Bombeck

Until next time.....(comments are always welcome)