4th of July

Our 4th of July celebrations started a bit early this year with a fireworks show at Great Grandma's pasture the night of the 3rd. Danny's cousin always amasses quite the inventory of awesome aerials, so it was a pretty impressive display! It was a late night, but a ton of fun. The fun was just getting started, however. :) When we got home, Danny got to work dry brining his brisket for our 4th of July BBQ! Papa was the benefactor of this prime cut of meat, but Danny was responsible for making it memorably delicious.

Fourteen hours later, and Danny's brisket was smoked to perfection! We sliced it thin, and served it on rolls with just a touch of BBQ sauce. As benefactor, Papa got the first taste. It was two thumbs up from him!! :)

The afternoon was full of the usual visiting, eating, and swimming (in no particular order). It never gets old...everyone just gets older! :) 

Finally it was time for fireworks! Danny let Claire, Sophie, and Johnny each pick an aerial firework from the firework stand, and Danny got a little something for himself...300 Saturn Missiles!! He was brave enough to light it, and smart enough to get running as soon as it was lit! It was loud, but the kids loved it!

Then it was time for the real fireworks show. The kids are so much older now, and they all actually did the sparklers we lit for them this year. :) We had a fun mix of fountains and aerials, and we even had a patriotic Pandora station going in the background. It was perfect.

How grateful we are for the freedoms we enjoy, and for those who sacrifice to make it so. I really do recognize the privilege it is to be an American; to be able to raise my family in safety and teach them to worship the way we please. It is one of our greatest blessings.

Happy Fourth of July!