July 4th, 2005

This 4th was a most unusual one, but as many of our regular events have been reararranged this year; it really isn't that surprising. We generally have my grandmother, auntie, and cousins around us this time of year but due to several joyful weddings, and not so enjoyable movings (to us that is) we found that most of our family were unable to join us. Thank goodness for dear friends who came to our rescue! We were blessed to have my friend Anne Bennet and her two sons Gavin, and Jamin, (her husband is a police officer and had to work) our delightful cousin Daniel and is bride and 4 children, Mr. Andrea who is from Kazakstahn and his lovely wife, and our friends the Gardiners with their children and parents and the Landers family from South Africa! What and enjoyable time we had from a jolly lunch, to a game of dodge ball where the kids, Dan and his wife, and I braved the summer heat, too our crazy 1 and a half hour long card game. In the evening we scrounged up our little bit of fire works ( we didn't have a chance to get any from Alabama) and had an enjoyable time trying to blow ourselves apart. There were several close calls where you could have seen me running and shrieking with my camera as a fire work was misfired over my head. I soon retreated to the safety of my kitchen where Rachel joined me in the task of cleaning up. With the help or our good friend Charlotte church (LOL) we had everything cleaned up in a jiffy! thanks everyone who helped us create such sweet memories! See y'all next 4th!