Adam's Birthday at the Dallas Drive-In

The July fun continues - this time happening up in Dallas. Lisa's son, Adam, has a birthday in July, so we chose this week (due to everyone's busy summer schedules) to honor him by all going to see "Cars 2" at the local drive in.

As is our custom, we got there plenty early to find our spot and just hang out. It was great having the four of us gals all together - and letting the kids do their own thing until the show started. I'm telling you, I love my van and how it so completely opens up in the back (and even someone less mechanically skilled like me can make it happen). Throw a semi-inflated air mattress in there and you've got a very cozy den. Due to my ongoing neck issues*, I opted for a repeat of the Florence fireworks viewing on the anti-gravity chairs. It was a good choice, so good, in fact, that I didn't even make it through to the end of the movie - and, as for a third viewing of "Green Lantern" (the second of the double feature), well, as much as I enjoyed it....sleep was of higher priority at midnight....










These were taken a few minutes ago in the backyard at Michele's house. Launching water balloons, woo hoooooo!




* I had quite the pity party on the way out to get worked on by Mom yesterday as it felt like a sinus infection had been thrown into the mix too.... Blessedly, Mom was able to really help the situation. I can't imagine the ongoing pity party I'd be throwing about life in general if it weren't for her helping me....

Indepence Day in Florence

Around 4pm on Monday, we took off with the Whites (after adequately Diazapam-ing our scaredy-cat dog and leaving her securely inside) to the coast. Getting to the coast from where we live is only about an hour away, so we got there right in time to secure a table at the Oregon coastline's most famous chain-restaurant, Mo's (famous for its amazing clam chowder).

We snapped some pictures inside the restaurant - since Travis was the odd-man out in these couples' shots, we snagged to "for sale" decorative mirror by our table and had him take a picture of it showing off his shiner...




Then, off to the boardwalk area, where we'd already secured our "spots" before going to the restaurant - but, first, some family pics.




It may appear crazy that we are all in sweats at this point, but you have no idea how cold it gets here with the wind - especially once it gets dark.

Which is why, this year, we packed each of us a sleeping bag. With John's camera, it was hard to get more of a view than this one, but Brayden asked to be stuffed inside.

We had a lot of "time to kill" waiting for dark to descend - which, for my sake, was WONDERFUL! I was absolutely loving the down time. Not preparing for anything, not using a computer, just reading, relaxing and chatting. Mikayla and Steph spent a lot of time doing the question and answer book "Pepsi or Coke" - it was so cute.

Literally dozens of people made comments about how "prepared" we were for the fireworks and how relaxed we looked. In fact, one gentleman asked us if he could videotape us and when we said yes, he began the footage by saying "And here's the most relaxed person in all of Florence". What a kick!




An Americana celebration wouldn't be complete without a little cotton candy, huh?

Finally, the dark came and the kids climbed on top of our anti-gravity chairs and we watched the sky light up together. It was THE BEST!!!

Lighting Up the Night Sky on the Third of July

As twilight descended, preparations began for the fireworks extravaganza. This year, the display would be put on by Traig and Brayden and they really did an excellent job. John did a superb job too, capturing the essence of this once-a-year celebration.










On top of the container of fireworks we purchased from Costco, John and Mark (who's family couldn't make the celebration as they were hanging with his side of their family) picked out a couple of "finale" pieces from a local fireworks stand. This first one was called "The Haunted House" and before it finished doing it's thing, it lit up the windows in the house....really cool.

And, this last one, "The Tailgater" was a very impressive finale display - the best we've ever had. Nothing like the illegal ones that shoot into the air, but pretty cool for us.




For the second year in a row, Travis and Stephanie have supplied the sparklers for the "post-show" with the kids. They bought tons of them and the kids were so delighted. Way to go, Whites!