4th of July 2013

This year we got to spend the 4th of July with Aleks' family in Escondido.

Each year Aleks' uncle opens up his gorgeous home, which sits on an orange grove, to his sisters and brother and their families.

It was a full house, bursting at the seams with lots of Aleks' extended family whom we don't get to see enough.

Our girls, who are typically early risers, woke up even earlier on the morning of the 4th due to the time change.

So we crept out of the house in search of a restaurant open at 6 am on a holiday.

Somehow Teddy ended up sneaking into the car with us.

When we got back to the house, the rooster was crowing and we had to check out the rest of the chickens.

Back at home the girls picked oranges off trees in the backyard, eating them with second cousins and decorating for the party.

The party really got started around 3 and there was lots of game playing, BBQ eating, and pranking.

The girls LOVED their second cousin who is 11.

They followed her around like little ducklings.

I spend some quality time playing pool with the boys and talking about BMX biking, long boards, and being wild.

At times like these I'm thankful for my brother who exposed me to his BMX biking and other extreme activities.

As the sun started to set, the adult boys headed out to set up the rockets.

The goal is to send them up so they come down in the same place.

However, I think a large part of the fun is in the chasing and retrieving of wayward rockets.

My girls spent most of the time with fingers in their ears.

Until Ruby thought she'd like to try sending up a rocket.

Her bravery lasted about 30 seconds and she left Daddy holding the remote alone.

 I don't think he minded.

As the girls went to bed, I was thankful for a break from reading yet another princess story.

It was a wonderful 4th.