Let Freedom Ring!

Independence Day brought with it the usual parades, barbecues, and fireworks. We started off the day with a parade in our friend's, the Homer's, neighborhood. Bryson was able to be in the parade with his friends Duncan and Dawson riding their rip sticks (imagine a skate board with only one wheel on the front and one on the back and both wheels freely swivel - it takes some practice). Dawson is in the gray shirt, Duncan behind him in the red shirt, and Bryson following in the navy blue t-shirt.

Then we went the Homer's neighborhood 4th of July party where they had, get this, a climing wall, a big blowup slide, dunking booth, BBQ, snow cone machine and 2 bouncy bounces. That is a serious block party.

Here's Bryson on the climbing wall - don't worry he made it to the top.

Bryson took his turn in the dunking booth. Even though both Mom and McKay tried to dunk him, we missed the target. Just when Bryson didn't expect it, one of the neighborhood kids sank him.

McKay and I raced up the rock wall. We were neck and neck up until the end when I pulled ahead.

David was the next adventurer up the wall. None of us wanted to race him, though. His arms and legs are too long. We don't stand a chance.

Then we picked up Parker (the teenager had finally emerged from hibernation for the day) and headed out to Dorothy's for a BBQ, walk along the Erie canal to see the steamboats on parade, and fireworks.

Parker and McKay went out on one of the docks. In the picture, McKay is trying to rock the dock and scare Parker. It didn't work, though.

We went back to Dorothy's and played Yahtzee to pass the time until fireworks. Usually we go into downtown Albany and watch the fireworks on the Plaza, but it's crowded and the people can be kind of obnoxious, so we tried the fireworks in Waterford by Lock 2.

We watched fireworks along the bank of the Erie Canal just below Lock 2. The boys sat on the rocks at the water's edge.

You could see the reflection in the Erie canal. Cool!

The more I travel, the more I realize how fortunate we are to live in a country where life is valued, happiness is achievable, safety and security are taken for granted, and where a belief in God still dictates how many people live their lives. There is no place I would rather live than the good ol' USA.