4th of July

We had a pretty great 4th of July this year.  My day started with a four mile race not too far from our house.  I had been a little nervous because of the nasty weather we've had for the past week, but luckily we didn't have any rain.  It was pretty cloudy and during the race I felt a few small sprinkles, but overall the weather was not too terrible, compared to what it could have been.  I have cut way back on my running lately and had only managed two 3-mile runs on the treadmill this week.  I knew that if I could do three mile runs then I could do a four mile one when the time came and I did.  I didn't set any records and ran pretty slow (around an 11:30 pace) but I'm trying to take on a whole new mindset when it comes to running.  I do it for myself and should stop caring how fast I run.  I don't know that I am cut out to be a "runner" and to be competitive at it, nor do I really have an desire to train for that.  I am happy just going out and getting the exercise.  I am out there DOING it and there are a whole heck of a lot of people who aren't, so that counts for something.  At least I am out there.

After my race I came home (it was still only 8:30am) and got the kids all dressed in their 4th of July clothes.  They looked very patriotic and even had flags to wave around.  I started some preparations for the bbq we were having later with some friends.  It orginally started at our house, but we changed it to go over to theirs.  So that meant I had bought the bulk of the food already and we had a lot to transport!  We went over around 1:30pm and just enjoyed a day of being lazy, eating and having fun.  The kids played in the water, the men drank their beers, the women sipped on margaritas...and everyone had a great 4th.  Just before we were leaving the girls all got to do some sparklers, which they loved.  Calli didn't want to hold it at first, but she finally was convinced and loved it.

When we got home it was just past 8pm and Jameson was very cranky.  I was disappointed he wouldn't be able to make it for the fireworks outside, but it was probably better that way.  He went to bed and we took the girls outside for the block party and fireworks in the cult-de-sac.  We had bought fireworks for the first time in our adult lives the day before and were pretty stoked to set them off.  We got packs and packs of sparklers, some of which are being saved for next year because there was so many.  I think those were Calli's favorite; she loved all the fireworks really.  Serena had a meltdown after seeing the first big firework go off in the air and told us she was tired and wanted to go to bed!  So Richard took her inside and it was just us and Calli out there.  We had one big firework that I was really excited called a VooDoo Ball.  Come to find out, those were probably the big thing this year because everyone had them.  So I kind of wished we had bought something else, but it was still fun to watch.

Around 10:30pm we called it a night and headed inside.  I didn't know if I would be able to fall asleep with the fireworks going and me being such a light sleeper, but I was out almost as soon as my head hit the pillow and slept like a brick.  I guess I was a little worn out!  It had been a pretty long day, but a really fun one.

4th of July morning

Just getting home from bbq, getting ready to put Jameson to bed and go out and watch fireworks!

Me and Calli

Me and all the kids

My pretty Serena girl!

My crazy Calli girl!

Sweet little Jameson!  The girls have been bringing their pillows downstairs lately and he loves to lay on them.

Calli enjoying her new Hippity Hop...thanks Grandma Keri and Grandpa James!

This was right after the first big firework went off.  Goodnight Serena!

Calli playing with her sparklers

This one is for Kendra!  We spent every 4th of July together during our childhood and lighting sparklers and running to the end of the court with them was one of our favorite things to do.  Maybe next year we will do it again finally!