July 4th Baby: My Mum, Paula
July 3rd Baby: Our Daughter, Liv
(Notice the way each of them holds their face in this picture. We have long remarked on the similarities between Liv and Mum - in personality, looks and language)
Our Fourth of July weekend started, as you all know, with a trip down memory lane - to Letort park in Carlisle - my husband's home town. On Saturday we all laid low and really enjoyed the day without much activity, all in anticipation for the follow day, Sunday, July 4th. At the last minute we decided to drive to Philly and celebrate the two girls' birthdays together.
Mum and Dad surprised us all with a special treat of fresh lobster for lunch. With my family (and my roots) hailing from the beautiful state of Maine, having lobster is like a call to the senses: not only am I eating the very food that reminds me of 'home' but I am with my parents and my own family - it couldn't have been a better combination. A beautiful chocolate torte followed for dessert - the perfect finale.After the visit to Philadelphia, we headed back west to
Hershey - our favorite location for July 4th Festivities.
Once in Hershey, we had little trouble finding a spot to park - the same spot we got last year, and directly across from the building where the fireworks are set. It is a small, unimposing building with a very serious flourescent light on the corner of it. About 50 yards from it's front door is a white fence lined with mesh. This keeps eager firework's fanatics away from the delicate igniting ceremony and out of harm's way.
While we waited and the sun was setting, my ever-resourceful husband helped the kids to pass the time. He seized my painter's tape and a plastic cake pan and before we knew it, a game of basketball was underway. I love how he get's them involved and teaches them how to really "play" - even without toys around.
A few quiet moments together on the blanket...
Then, the show starts.
Fireworks are a tough thing to photograph and it has been one of my major challenges. Sam got me this new camera for Christmas two years ago and I still have yet to successfully capture the spectacle of such beautiful moments. From where we were sitting, the fireworks exploded directly over our heads, filling our periphery. If fireworks could hug, we were absolutely embraced - it was beautiful.
Above - The white building with on-lookers in the background.
Above - Panning out from the above picture, this the small white building from which the fireworks were set (around back). Note the trucks in the bottom left corner of the picture. They are two large moving vans that were used to transport the fireworks to this location - their presence in the picture helps to relate the size of the building and the vastness as the 'works launch into the sky above.
Happy 4th to all of you.
