Fourth of July 2011

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain occurred, and really, the month of July has never been the same. In fact, the day before the Declaration of Independence was signed, John Adams wrote this letter to his wife, Abigail, approving and encouraging all our silly, fun and ridiculous antics that go on July 4th:

...The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

The second day of July, instead came to be the 4th of July, and so aligned itself with the date shown on the Declaration of Independence.

Thank you, John Adams, for making way for celebration. He must have been a fun guy, don't you think? Strangely, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson--signers of the declaration and past Presidents of the United States of America, died on the same day: July 4th, 1826. This was the 50th anniversary of the signage.

Now that the trivia has been dealt out and we are a whole lot smarter, we can put all our focus on the pomp and games that went on during the amazing block party we were blessed to attend. A big thank you to the BEST friends and neighbors a family could ever ask for. Literally, this is a whole block of fun-ness. So without further adieu:

THE fourth of July party:


Before the party began. (read: non-sweaty, very excited, unpainted, pre-dunked kids)

Friends that play together, stay together. Isn't that how it goes? No?

A little friendly competition never killed anybody, though, I'm pretty sure Caycee said: "Elicia's going DOWN!"





Don't let them fool you.

See? Here they say, "No matter what happens, let's promise to be friends, K?"

Getting their marshmallows ready on the paper plates. The broomstick falling on the plate is designed (or so we are told) to catapult the marshmallow into the player's mouth.

I would show you action shots of Caycee and Elicia attempting the rare feat of actually catching the marshmallows, but I'd really like to remain friends, and so I'll not post them until I get the okay. I mean, IF, I get the okay. :o)

Jake apparently takes after his dad at Tug 'O War fierceness.



And no 4th of July party is complete without a cookie-eating contest. No hands were allowed to help get the cookie from the forehead to the mouth!

















Victorious!

You decide: Hospitable host, or not?


Liv in the dunk tank:


Luke, being dunked and loving it!


It was just a matter of time before Reese found the face paint:



Friends make the 4th complete!






Things that don't surprise us:

Wieber girls are always, always silly.




Reese loved the fireworks. (Here she is saying, "Whoo Hoo!")


Blue frosting make blue teeth and lips.


Reese is eating. Again.


The fireworks were spectacular--more amazing than a picture can tell.







Thank you, friends, for a happy, fun, blessed day!
Happy Birthday, America! (OH, and Happy Birthday, Dad!!!)