Funky pic of the kids waiting for fireworks
Grant and Blake take a break from swimming to snack on dinner. 
Patriotic jello in the shape of a flagAs we headed to the fireworks, the Van Camps had a great idea: why don't we just go to our friends the Taylors whose yard backs up to the high school where they are shooting them off this year? Conveniently, the Taylors were in DC watching the fireworks, and we knew they wouldn't mind, so we headed over about 30 min before the show started. It was great! There were no crowds or problems parking and we had their whole huge yard to themselves. We couldn't believe how close we were! You could actually feel the ground shake during the finale.
Of course the only drawback to this whole up-close thing, was the deep and utter terror that Grant felt every time a shell went off. The show started and so did Grant's screams. He was yelling, shaking, and saying "it's time a go, time a go!! Scared!!! Scarey!!!" in this shaky terrorized voice. Poor guy. This went on for about the first 15 minutes while we tried everything from bribes of coke, to retreating farther from the fireworks. Finally he tapered off a bit and hid his head in my shoulder so he didn't have to see. He was so glad when the gigantic, earth shattering finale ended.
As for the rest of us, Blake sat with our friend the whole time and seemed okay with everything. Trav and I couldn't believe how awesome the fireworks were this year. I seriously have never seen anything like it. The finale alone (which I thought had already come about three times) went on forever with fireworks coming so fast you couldn't even talk to the person next to you. It was really a good show that lasted almost thirty minutes with so many different fireworks, it was great.
We waited a few minutes before leaving, but still got caught in some traffic on the way home. We didn't mind though as the classical station had just started the 1812 overture and Blake was so cute leading the music. So we listened to patriotic music for about 20 min until we made it home. It was a fantastic time and we can't wait until next year!
It may be only 3 pictures, but the jello is the grand prize winner this year. Whoa! I should have known that there would be some type of uncommon decoration on the most common of food (jello). It's cool.
ReplyDeleteThe fireworks sounded like fun, except for Grant being so scared of them. We were in bed for our fireworks. To late to stay up as Tammy needed to get up at 4 a.m. Next year she need to take the day after off I think.
Cute picture of the boys eating outside on the steps. I'll bet they like doing that.
Thanks for the posting Mel.
Oh no - Grant has the "Holman Gums Smile." Hahaha. That's hilarious.
ReplyDeleteHe must be related to me! hahaha
ReplyDeleteAbby used to get scared of the fireworks too, but has gotten better and doesn't mind them anymore, just is scared of dark movie theatres and lightning now..this year there was a lightning storm during the fireworks, so we just drove as close as we could in our car and watched from there.
ReplyDelete