A Proper Stateside 4th of July!!

Dear me, summer is flying by so fast, my head is practically spinning.  I'd better post a few pictures from our proper American fourth of July before I turn around and find that it's time for Halloween.  We were in the US last year, but I seem to recall feeling exhausted and uncertain about keeping our infant out until 11pm to view the fireworks.  But this year, we decided to do it up right with a live, late night fireworks show.

My husband made sure that everyone displayed appropriate, appreciative 'firework faces'.

And some of us made goofy faces without even being prompted because watching fireworks with little kids is just magical.  Lili was so impressed, she kept pointing at the sky and shouting, "WHOA!  RAINBOW!!"  Just try not to smile like a goofball when you have that sitting in your lap!  Emma and Sophie were equally impressed with their first big fireworks experience.

She couldn't help but bust out the happy dance.

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness.  You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."  ~Erma Bombeck