Just Four(th) Fun

Our 4th started with a bang, and ended with a bang.  And there was a whole lotta fun in between.

We attended the ward breakfast/bike parade/water fight.  Since we have been running a tad behind lately, the bike decorating was left to the very last minute.  I think we managed a pretty bang-up job for less than 10 minutes of frantic patriotict-themed-decoration hunting and speedy application.  Then Mar and I rode down to church on our bikes together, since Bill had gone early to cook pancakes and such.  Lex and Shi opted to drive.

Mar may have ONE more bike parade in her, or maybe not.  Only time will tell.

This cute lady got the real fun started.

And these helped.

My friend Trev was pleased as punch to have one.

It starts out mild, then the frenzy builds...

 Until respectable men, women, and children are doing crazy, wild things in efforts to drench each other.  Those church water pitchers ARE good for something ;-)

These girls tried to stay dry,

and were fairly successful, for the most part.

Once we returned home, we had a whole lotta fun doing this:

I know, you're jealous.

We actually got a ton done, thanks to the additional help of our next-door neighbor.  What a guy.  Donating quality holiday time to our cause.  Thanks, Blair!

I have concluded, however, that I am HORRIBLE at picking paint colors.  What I visualize and what I get are two different things.  I am trying to decide if I can live with Country Beige, or if I need to try a re-tint.  I think I'm going to try to like it, in hopes that I'll grow to love it over time.  

I wanted light.  I chose light.  I got lighter than I anticipated.  But it IS a basement, after all.  Light is good.

At a pre-determined time (okay, maybe a little past our pre-determined time), we all cleaned up and headed over to our friends', the Leaks, home for dinner and fireworks.

 And a little Bocce.

Mar got to hang out with Pogi, and reaffirmed to all who would listen that she still wants another mini dachshund.

 (Note:  We have put the dog hunt on hold until Bill acquires employment, however it is still a constant discussion in our home.  Mar is glued to the computer on a regular basis, scoping out available pets.  Shi and Lex have their opinions too.  Of course.)

This cake is so cool.

 Amazing, huh?

 It was a fun way to end the day... with a bang.  

Even if I, exhausted/exerted/expended, slept through at least half of the fireworks display.

Moving on to the 5th,