Food, Fun and Freedom

Our 4th Of July

My husband raised our flag for our show of support of the troops. Remember all and especially my nephew who is in Iraq right now. He is in the medical field saving lives of all who need him. We are so proud of him.

Plenty of food for those of us that gathered for the feast.















Look, red/white/blue candy for the "kids".


Clever huh?
















Pies, cookies and cake.


Peanut butter pies, pineapple pies


cookies, cupcakes and one Bavarian Cream Cake.















Smoked ribs and brisket, both sliced and chopped.




















Mr. Patriotic gets in line to partake in the great food.

















Then we headed to the cul-de-sac to shoot off the fireworks. My firefighter brother and his firefighter partner were there to shoot the tons of fireworks. My dad's pickup bed was completely full of fireworks. Where are my pictures? I don't know, I was busy with so many things.

















My niece HATES to hear fireworks go off. So she is sporting ear muffs, which are really shooting ear protection since my dad and brother are both avid shooters. And yes, she is missing her two front teeth.

















My nephew is busy jumping on fireworks after they have gone off. Yet his dad and friend are down there shooting fireworks in the daylight. Good grief. They both worked at the fire station last night (3rd) and have not had any sleep yet. So they wanted to get started early shooting them so they could go home and get some sleep.
















My niece and her friend found toys in the toy closet to play with outside while their dads are shooting fireworks. The kids were not really interested in the fireworks, just the toys.
















My aunt and uncle sit outside watching the fireworks and good conversation with others. We did not have the large gathering I had hoped. My son and daughter in law did not come home, my own daughter did not come home, nor my step daughter and her family. So I had to recruit others to come and join us in the fun. Good friends filled the void and I am thankful they came.



We had a wonderful evening tonight. I did not get to see many of the fireworks due to cleaning up and taking care of a couple kids that were not interested in the fireworks. My dogs did great, loved the fireworks and were not scared at all. They came outside with me to watch and wanted to stay out longer than what I allowed. After my family all left we went back down to the cul-de-sac and watched the rest of the neighbors shoot their fireworks. We got to visit with others, enjoy more good lights and just relax. Aren't we so lucky to live in a land where we do have so much freedoms. After being a police officer for so many years and enforcing the laws of the land, knowing that we have so many rights and freedoms, I have such a high respect for this wonderful country. Plus I am so proud of my nephew and many other friends that are serving our country.

























William Michael McAllister
Our Hero