Back Home Again

We are home again after spending the 4th of July weekend with Son #3 . We had a wonderful time visiting, soaking up sunshine while lolling about in his wonderful, heated pool, eating and resting up. It was great! Son #2 and family joined us on Saturday and the grandchildren also enjoyed the pool and Nero, the very loving Lab, who adores Son #3.

There's Nero asking Son #3 for permission to get in and swim with the rest of the family--

We were enjoying the pool--and Nero got in to retrieve a Frisbee.

Daughter-in-law, Kara, having a serious conversation with Nero--

Soph, our "Dog Whisperer" grandchild, relaxed Nero after our swim--

Son #3 taking a picture of Little One and Nero having a conversation at the edge of the pool. Little One loved Nero and the feeling seemed to be mutual.

What? No pictures of us eating? How unusual! But we had a great time. Thanks, Son #3, for having us all at your place!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Today is my birthday and I am thankful that my parents allowed me to be born on their 4th wedding anniversary, lo, those many years ago today. That always made for a nice 4th of July celebration for our whole family when I was growing up. We lived in a small town, so the 3rd of July was usually a combined celebration of my parents' anniversary and a celebration of my birthday. In the evening, as soon as it began to get dark, Daddy took us out to a fireworks stand and bought Roman candles, firecrackers, snakes and sparklers. We then drove out to a dirt road and had our own fireworks display. My brother particularly liked the firecrackers and my sister and I loved the snakes and sparklers. Daddy usually helped us shoot off the Roman candles.

Our family gatherings around the 4th of July have continued and some of our family always tries to get together and celebrate birthdays since we now have a granddaughter born on the 4th of July and a daughter-in-law born on the 6th of July. It seems like we have now moved into celebrating the first week of July as Birthday Week for our family members who can be together. This year we will journey to the Texas Panhandle and celebrate with family gathered there. Fun!