Fun on the 3rd and the 4th

Sorry to see a great 4th of July weekend come to an end.  We started on Saturday night with a cookout at the Belland's, then fireworks in our culdesac.  It was so relaxed and easy.  New neighbors were in the process of finishing up their kitchen remodel, so they could move in for good today.  They have a teenager who was not with them, and a 4 year old son Alex, who was.  Michael bonded with Alex immediately, and I can see this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.  So neat that the three of them will start Kindergarten together, in Fall of 2011. 

Last night we went to the picnic at church, which has a view of the Roswell Fireworks.  It was a great show, but trying to keep track of Michael and Emily in the crowd of several hundred was not relaxing at all.  I knew I could count on Emily to be on the playground, but Michael could be anywhere.  Just find the family with the best cupcakes, sparklers, glow bracelets, etc.....that's where he was.  The Mayor was working the crowd, and I was tired of losing him in the crowd.  Next year we think we might just up the ante on our own neighborhood show, and forgo the big display.  

                      My crew before heading down the street.

                       Sylvia, with her marvelous margarita machine.

            Terry and Michel, working hard.  Really, they were grilling, can't you tell?

                                               I got a sparkler! 

My favorite shot of the night.  My husband lined the kids up and told them the rules of fireworks.  Necessary for 4-8 yr olds, but don't they look thrilled?

          Here's what they were really thinking during Terry's speech:

Michel entering the fire zone to start the show.  Loved the cones, the kids never tried to cross them.  Even several neighbors were scared to cross them...

                         Little kids: Alex, Emily, Kaylee and Michael

                             Big kids:Haley, Sophie, Hanna, Colby

                                            Grand finale!

94 years young

If you are my friend on Facebook (and face it, who wouldn't want to be??) then you know my kids have been sick with strep and a summer virus for going on three weeks.  It has finally run it's course, and everyone has been without fever or sore throats for a few days now.  It is so nice to have my happy children back!! They were never seriously ill, but just very lethargic and cranky, which tends to make Mom cranky as well.

Last weekend, even though Sophie was kind of iffy, we were able to go to Lake Hartwell for a couple of days to celebrate the 94th birthday of our dear friend Bill.  It was great fun.  We spent time in the water, on the boat and in the house playing a few cutthroat games of Yahtzee.

Here's Sophie with Papa Bill, as we all call him, with her new best friend Maggie.  I was so glad when Maggie walked in the door, who, even though she is a rising college junior, was more than happy to hang out with Sophie.   

Here

Here's Terry and the guys grilling our chicken for dinner, plus a shot of the dock and beautiful lake.  

Singing Happy Birthday to Bill, I think Jeannie put at least 90 candles on the cake.

Bill has helped and counseled so many over the years, it is amazing what he can do at the age of 94.  He is young at heart, and just an incredible gift to so many people.  We love him!

And last, but definitely not least, a short video taken from the boat, of Sophie and Terry tubing together.  Sophie was so anxious to do it by herself, but that was not nearly as much fun as when they rode together.  She doesn't weigh enough to jump the wake.