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.

Fourth of July, 2011

We had a wonderful July 4 weekend. On Sunday, we had dinner with Rick and Darlene at their new apartment. Rick cooked on the grill and we enjoyed their beautiful view. On Monday we went to a water ski show and barbeque at the beach near our friend's house. In the evening, Jaime and Aaron had a cookout for family and friends. There were four dogs, a pot bellied pig, 2 babies and Mia. Jonah is visiting his Dad in Tennessee. It seemed strange for him to not be there. After we got home, Roger and I pulled lawn chairs into the front yard and watched the fireworks over the golf course. A thoughful neighbor aimed some beautiful fireworks just in the right place over the trees. Then we watched the Boston Pops fireworks on the TV in our bedroom. What a great day! I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life.

Fourth of July

I discovered I don't even have a tag for the 4th of July until now. Somehow this holiday seldom lives up to my expectations. I always picture a big picnic in a beautiful park and sitting on blanket under the sky watching a fireworkS display. Somehow that doesn't often happen. I remember some lonely holidays where the kids had their own plans and I was alone. I have gone a few times to the big fireworks displays in town which were fun but the crowds and the killer heat and humidity make that a hassle. I remember going to a small town display with my friend Carol years ago. Joyce had a nice party at her apartment on a lake a few years back. I have one special memory of being out with friends on a couple of boats and watching the sky light up above our heads. Anyway, the perfect celebration eludes me. Florida weather has a lot to do with it. Often it is so hot and dry that there is a fire hazard and all the displays are banned. This year we were drowned with rain. But we still had a happy day.

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After many months of staying with us, Jaime has a new apartment. She and Aaron have just moved in and are having fun fixing up their new place. The kids love it. They made burgers on the George Foreman grill and invited both families for lunch. Since it was raining we all found a spot in their small apartment. After lunch, Karin and Alan and Stephanie and Cory took Jill to White Sands beach for a water ski show. Jonah elected not to go. The rain stopped just as it got dark and the kids shot off some fireworks at their own homes. (Jaime said they met their new neighbors!) Roger and I turned the lights down low and watched the fireworks show in NY City on TV while neighbors lit up the sky all around our house. Last year we trekked out to the middle of the golf course and got quite a show. All the trees block some of the view but we still see and hear a lot of excitement. I guess my dream 4th would be to rent a place at the beach and watch fireworks from a lawn chair on the sand. I am very happy and hopefull for the future. I wish I would have got pictures of the people and the food. Duh! Anyway, I hope that everyone in blogland had a happy day.