Early 4th of July Festivities

As the 4th this year is a Saturday, all the salaried employees got off yesterday, the 3rd. We all met up at the Backer's, where there is a pool, and splashed around for a while. Here's Leiden, all decked out in her life jacket. Ella and Caleb are right behind her. Leiden appears to be afraid of the water. Screaming when we try to get her to float on her back--with the life jacket. She's not sinking, but she freaks out, anyway.


Mac had no problems at all in the water. Loved it. Her life jacket pretty much kept her laying on her back, but try as she might, she couldn't roll over. At least we know they really would save an infant's life in the water! Brad had to hold her upright for this picture.


Brad was great, trading off holding Mac and Leiden.


Leiden finally found some peace about being in the pool with this lounge chair. And she's pretty excited about the water gun, too!


And shooting it.


Mission accomplished.


Brad the water horse.


Here's the Red, White, and Blueberry pie I made for the occasion. Delish.


Mac LOVED the watermelon. She gnawed on several pieces, and when I say gnawed, I mean,


gnawed. Down to the green, and then even ate some of the green before I could get her a new piece. I never thought the green tasted very good, but whatever.


There were 19 people there, including children.


Later that evening, we set off a few fireworks. Leiden was again, a bit scared, but she really liked them.

These were the coolest. They actually burned in the color of their wrapper--red and yellow,

green, blue, and purple.

Master of Ceremonies

Today we're headed to the parade, and we'll buy more fireworks for tonight.