Happy Independence Day!

(Yes, I know - a few days late, but better late than never, right?) Our friends the Dunfords invited us down to their house to enjoy fireworks with them. My kids were thrilled. (We hadn't made any celebration plans ourselves.)

Chad, master fireworks lighter.

Jonas, giving serious thought to the greatness of the holiday.

I just love this expression that Shawn caught on Amelia's face. Kids make almost all holidays more fun.

Peter kept trying to be so brave and sit with the big kids, but as soon as the noise or lights started up, he would come running back to me with a look of terror on his face. He would sit with me until he stopped crying and then would head back to the big kids. Over and over again.

Megan gave up on being brave right from the beginning. She has never liked fireworks, so she went inside to hideout until they were over. She did come and peek out the window a few times.

Samantha, on the other hand, is a fireworks and all holiday enthusiast.

Amelia and Caroline Dunford were the resident smoke dancers. They were pretty funny to watch.

Some of the others of us had no need to dance. We just enjoyed watching the show.

And, of course, the evening would not be complete with out a few sparklers to go around.

Thanks Dunfords for letting us join in your celebration!