Firecrackers

We started off the 4th of July by gathering with a few thousand other people for the Firecracker 5K.  As you may recall, this race holds special meaning for Ron and I, and though neither of us have run very much lately, we didn't want to miss it.  This year, Carmelle, Chad and the kids decided to join us.
Ron and Chad planned to run the race, while Michael, Kayonna and I were going to do a run/walk and Carmelle and Jexie would push Adellelyn in her stroller.

Best laid plans are mean to be changed, right?

Poor Michael started feeling sick not long after the mile one check-point and soon it became apparent that he couldn't go on.  He had eaten lots of "junk" the day before and even that morning and was soon regretting that!  Fortunately, we were very close to a teaching acquaintance of mine's home and she let him come in to take a little break while I contacted Ron to come pick the two of us up as soon as he was finished with the run.

After we got home, I fixed a nice waffle breakfast and then everyone wanted to rest a bit.  Michael rebounded well, however, and  he was soon playing as if nothing had happened.  I love this picture of Jexie with Emmi and Adellelyn with the stuffed Emmi.

I let the kids put together some red, white & blue airplanes that I'd picked up.  .  .

and then they dipped marshmallows in chocolate and sprinkles to make "pops".

(which the other "pops" felt the need to photobomb)!

Late in the afternoon, we headed downtown for the Independence Day Celebration that was going on down at the riverfront.  The crowds were already thick, and the bands had been playing all day.  When we arrived, the headliner was B. J. Thomas----talk about oldies!  He had definitely aged, but still sounded the same.  Don't worry, Rodney Atkins was came on stage later to rock with the younger crowd.

We settled into a spot near the stage, with what we hoped would be a good view of the fireworks later.  Then there was some time to kill.  Lots of it.

The weather actually was rather pleasant instead of being too hot, thank goodness, and we'd brought lawn chairs, picnic mats and lots of snacks.
Naturally, these two found a little frog.

I showed the kids how to make clover chains.

and the kids looked for pictures in the clouds.

You know those wonderfully sweet photos of grandfathers with their grandchildren that you see from time to time that make you say "awwww".  Yeah, well, I this is what I usually get instead:

Just as it was getting dark, Callie and Jordan joined us and the show began.   We had a prime location for viewing the fireworks and this particular display was one of the best I'd ever seen.

I've never been able to capture fireworks on my camera before---this year was different.  I am slowly learning how to adjust my settings for different scenarios.

Family and fireworks.  I can't think of a better way to spend the Fourth!