Celebrating the 4th!

Every year we celebrate the fourth with our friends!  This year we got to celebrate in their new home, which came about after the last we had our last year cookout.  We didn't know it at the time but it was the last event we would have at their old home.

The new neighborhood was a lot of fun.  The kids could roam and ride bikes and we were able to enjoy a very impressive neighborhood fireworks show that one of the neighbors does every year.  It made the show we put on in previous years seem very sad!

Ready to celebrate the 4th!

Snack time!

The first picture with the entire clan!  It had started to rain pretty heavily so my plans to be outside and in a row, like last year, were squashed!

All ELEVEN kiddos!

Aside from the annual group shot, we also have a traditional menu of surf and turf for this celebration!  The steak and lobster went perfectly with the Cherry Sangria I made!

YUM!

Thankfully the rain did not last very long (maybe an hour or so!) and we were able to get back outdoors and toast marshmallows.  Another tradition!

Once it was dark enough we started the walk to the end of the street to catch the fireworks.  I really was expecting a few bangs, certainly more than we have ever done.  However, what we got, was something bigger than I have seen at some towns.  It was 2 different houses and at one point it felt like we were witnessing a "Battle of the Fireworks" so to speak.  It was pretty spectacular for a backyard show!

Happy 4th of July!