The 4th of July

This year on the 4th we headed on over across the street to hang with our friends in the Palmers' pool. It felt so nice to get in the water. We had a great dinner and watched the kids light sparklers and eat popsicles. It was a very solid American time. The company of good friends always makes the day a good one. Thanks for putting this one together for another year, M&K!

I never have very many nice things to say about summertime in Arizona, and this year it is even hotter than normal and I am even fatter than normal, so it's been a bit uncomfortable. So, the Fourth of July never gets me too excited being that it's too hot out to really enjoy much and fireworks are prohibited. Any controlled fireworks show is about an hour away, and I always have to work early the next day, so I haven't seen fireworks in Arizona in a very long time. But that's okay...I'd rather do without the fireworks than have another wildfire. Last year we spent the 4th in Oregon and went to the small town parade. Then we bundled up in sweatshirts and cooked hot dogs over the fire on the beach. Then we watched a billion fireworks while sitting in Dylan's parents' rooftop jacuzzi one street up from the beach. That's what I call celebrating the 4th of July. So even though the 4th is always a little lackluster around here, I am glad it gives us a reason to have a day off and get together with friends. Happy Birthday America. You've had a tough run of things, but you still seem to go strong.