Independence Day!

It seems that where the Fourth of July is concerned we change what we do most every year.   It has been years since we were able to celebrate it with Grandma and Papa G so that's what we decided to do this year.  Our day started with Kayda accompanying Daddy and Papa to buy fireworks (we procrastinated big time this year), and then abandoning Daddy to stay with Grandma and Papa.  Dillon stayed at home and played with the neighbor girls, Tazzmine and Kylie.  They played with some fireworks with Dave from across the street and played in the water until it was time to head out.  We had a nice little barbecue then Daddy, Kayda and Dillon headed off to Uncle Pat's to do tank wars with that side of the family.  When they got back we had a great time with the fireworks, especially when it finally started to get dark.  We also carried on an old tradition of homemade ice cream!

Dillon was doing interpretive dances based on what the fireworks were doing.  It was quite entertaining!

Kayda returned from tank wars with a lovely butterfly on her face, compliments of her cousin Aileena.

Papa and his propane torch!

The roman candles were definitely a BIG hit with the kiddos!

Having fun in the waning light.

Flash bombs!

Papa apparently saw these at the fireworks stand and had to get them!  They are floating lanterns like in the movie "Tangled".  We had to tie a piece of thread to them so they wouldn't fly away in order to get Kayda to agree to actually use hers!

The kids spent a good portion of the fireworks lighting them (with Daddy's help) and running quickly away to safety in order to watch them go off.  When they weren't doing that they were snuggled up in Grandma and Papa G's laps!  Talk about high quality snuggle time!  Dillon's favorite fireworks were the ones that crackled and made sparkles.  Kayda enjoyed the big ones that fly into the air and explode, she was getting very frustrated with Daddy when he kept lighting fountains.  They had a great time with the fireworks and both fell asleep quickly despite the ongoing noise from nearby firework users!