Fourth of July

This is a picture Cory took of another family having an outing at the beach on a different day. I think Jill and Mia are playing in the water. That might be Jaime on the dock.

We had a perfect, peaceful Fourth of July celebration. First, Roger and I met up with my brother and sister-in-law at Mel's Hot Dogs - a landmark in Tampa near Busch Gardens. I have to admit that in 30-some years, I had never eaten there before.

The celebration and ski show at the nearby beach took place so early that we just went over later when all the crowds were gone. Jaime made BBQ pork in the crockpot. I brought some coleslaw, watermelon, and sugar-free chocolate cupcakes. I put marshmallows on top and toasted them in the oven. This worked fine except the little girls only wanted to eat the marshmallow part. Karin and Alan brought some wine and sangria. Aaron had the day off from the Police Academy. We sat at a picnic table in the shade. Jill and Mia were having a ball swimming out to the floating dock, climbing up, and jumping off again. Mia was swimming all the way without the floogles on her arms! We missed Jonah. He was in Tennessee with his Dad.

After our picnic, I went home to take a nap. Jaime, Jill and friends went out to a nearby fireworks celebration. Mia was too tired from all her swimming. Roger and I sat on the porch and watched the fireworks popping all around us on the golf course. Then we went to bed and watched the fireworks and concert on TV from the Macy's celebration in NYC. A happy day.