Fantastic Fourth

Happy day-after 4th of July!! I hope however you celebrated, you enjoyed a splendid time with friends, family, good health, and prosperity. Throughout all of the celebrations, it's often easy to forget the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted. We may disagree with all of the decisions the governing body of our country makes, but overall it's the freedom we celebrate on the 4th that allows us to disagree openly without fear of retribution. How fantastic is that?

We spent our 4th celebrating with the neighborhood of my in-laws. One of their neighbors has organized a 4th of July block party for the past 3 years. It's great fun - one couple opens their backyard for the BBQ, there's a pinata for the kids, tons of side dishes, salads, desserts, drinks, and great conversation. Our boys loved it because of the plethora of children who were present - such a nice treat when their only companions have been their parents & each other for the most part over the past month.
The piece de la resistance is the fireworks display after the sun goes down. Each family is asked to bring one firework for everyone to enjoy. Two ladders are set up in the middle of the street, a board is placed on the rungs between the ladders to use as a platform for the show. Wade & a former high school acquaintance, Josh, were the MCs of the display. The rest of us camped on the front lawn to enjoy the show. This was new to our family since we can't legally discharge fireworks in Anchorage. Sure, you can buy them about 45 minutes north, in a town called Houston, but you can't bring them back to Anchorage for a private show.

The fireworks lasted about an hour. The boys kept saying This is the best 4th of July - ever!! A block party is a great way for the neighborhood to come together - I wish we lived in a neighborhood with such camaraderie. Wade & I discussed the advantages of moving here - Great neighborhood, variety of activities, 'built-in' friends/acquaintances who are our age, grandparents who live close (like across the street)... It just so happens a house is going up for sale.... hmm.... However, it would be difficult to leave our Alaska friends, the boys' great school, the house & teaching jobs we love.

So - it looks like we'll remain in Anchorage. So - happy 4th to all - here's a taste of last night's festivities: