Monday, July 6, 2009

Celebrate, Reflect and Enjoy-4th of July

My family was all in Utah together for the 4th (we couldn't afford to go), but made the best of it here. It's always hard for us because it's the anniversary of my brother John's death. I usually start to get a little edgy and emotional the week leading up to the 4th. I try to make sure we have lots of plans, the busier I am the easier it is.

I decided to treat myself to a new bike this year...last year we were the Beverly Hillbilly's of OC with our crappy, squeaky, rusty bikes. I haven't had a brand new bike since I was 14 years old! I figured it was time...also I thought it would encourage me to get out and exercise more. I was going to get my usual boys beach cruiser in black, I'm such a tomboy that I don't usually like flashy. But I decided at the last minute to get a shiny purple and silver girl bike. What do ya think?


We rode down to the parade, stopped by to meet some friend's at a house party, but it was all adults and the little guys wanted to hang out with us for a while (we wont have very many years left of them wanting to be with the "parents" since they're 14 & 15. So we told them we'd be back later and rode around with the kids.

Anthony's sister's and all their kids ended up coming down and we met up with them, got some lunch and had a picnic at the park with them and some other friends who met up with us. The boys ended up leaving and me and Anthony headed home for a quick rest before we had to ride back down for the fireworks show.

I had to leave and go pick up Josh from work. I was sitting in the LONG line of cars waiting to turn, when a group of bikers came riding in between all the cars and some parked cars. Some girls were obviously drunk...one girl turned around to talk to her friends and ran smack into the back of a parked car and flipped over the top of her bike, denting the car. Okay now you are all going to know how mean I am...I LAUGHED so hard. I always do when someone trips or falls. I can't help it! I wasn't alone, all the other cars were yelling, honking and laughing too! I didn't feel as bad. She was okay, but she did a bike hit and run. The owner of the car came running out of the house party, but the girl was long gone. I'll take entertainment anyway I can get it.

When we got back down to the beach it was FREEZING. The little guys never came home and had only swim trunks and tank shirts. They were shivering and complaining...we brought them some jackets and I got these pics of them racing toward the backpack and then fighting with a friend for the warmest one.

Elijah, Adam & Friend racing to the backpack for sweatshirts.



The Boys fighting over the warmest sweatshirt.

Even Anthony was cold.






Crowd in the ampitheatre.

Crowds watching street performers.

More Crowds in the dreaded Out House line.

My hubby & me trying to stay warm.



Waiting for the fireworks to start.

YAY...FINALLY!

All in all it was a good day and I didn't even cry once...which was a first. We love and miss you John!

My brothers...John hugging Troy.

7 comments:

egt said...

Hi! Visiting from sits...love the new bike, I have an old, clanky, squeaker myself...maybe it's time for me to treat myself as well?? Have a good day...

The Blonde Duck said...

Thanks for the sweet e-mail! :)

Unknown said...

I'm glad you had a great day...it's hard to believe how cold it was! Those pictures are just surreal of you guys on the beach...so cool.
Your bike is RAD! You soooo deserved it too!!

~Trish~ said...

LOVE the bike, how cute is that!!! Looks like you had a great 4th after all!

The Dimino's said...

Looks like you had a great 4th!!! Stopping by from sits!!

April said...

Hey Lis! We missed you up here for the 4th...so hopefully you can come next year! I'm glad you had a good time though! Your bike is cute! I like girly ones! Tyler and I got new bikes in the spring (since neither of us had one!) Mine looks like a cruiser (it's turquoise!) and has the components of a mountain bike (for all of these hills up here!) I'll have to take a pic and send it to you! Love ya!

Aussie Born And Bred said...

I Can't wait to dust off the old pair of board shorts this summer. I may even get myself a new pair of board shorts. I am in love with wearing board shorts