Fourth of July Fun 2009

Last Saturday, the 4th of July, we drove past Garden Valley Park, where, as you can see, the booths were set up for a day of fun and games and music in the park. The parade was about to start at 10 AM but we were just leaving town to go to Jerry's brother's house, 2 hours south of us for a BBQ, swimming, catching up on family news and, of course, fireworks!
The parade is a good ol' home-town parade with decorated bikes, horses, trucks, marchers and you-name-it, all decorated in various ways with red, white and blue and patriotic music playing. It's fun to watch and we always see lots and lots of people we know in the parade and at the celebration in the park.

But on this day we decided to go to Monty's annual fete at his house in the almond orchard. Here I am standing in front of his house. His wife, Karen always decorates their house for every holiday.

Monty invites all his neighbors and relatives for a great party--BBQ'd tri-tip, all kinds of salads and other side dishes and desserts. Everyone who comes brings something to share. Here are Jerry and his Aunt Marilyn enjoying the day.

Karen's son, Ed, and Jerry's Uncle Ray

Karen's granddaughter, Nina, and a couple of their neighbors

Sharon and Jim, friends of Monty and Karen

The kids all had a great time playing in the pool.

Uncle Ray inspects a firecracker.

The sun is setting and the moon is full--almost time to start the fireworks!

What looks like dust near the top of this photo is actually one of the early fireworks they set off. My camera did not pick up the bright colors of the display. The moon is the bright orb lower in the sky.

Though I couldn't capture the huge colorful fireworks that lit up the sky, I was able to capture the ones that stayed on the ground (Roman candles?).

Those are almond trees in the background. Guests visited and ate while enjoying the colorful spectacle.

That Roman candle you see burning is actually very far away from the almond trees.

It was a lot of fun enjoying all the good food, company and our up-close and personal fireworks display. We helped clean up and then drove back home, arriving just before midnight.