Long live family tradition

My family's Independence Day tradition goes back quite a few years. Thirty-four to be exact. My father's aunt and uncle started having a potluck dinner and fireworks on that day. They had 9 children, so the family has grown quite large through the years as you can imagine. Add to that many friends of the family, and you have quite a large gathering.

My great-aunt and uncle passed away a few years ago, but the gathering simply moved across the street to my cousin's house, and for the most part has continued on in the same fashion. Something new that was added a few years back was a family tree shirt. I'm proud to say that my family has a branch on that tree. This years shirt was dedicated "In memory of Bobby." Bobby is my father, who passed away in March. I think he loved this holiday best of all, because it was filled with his favorite things--family, good home-cooking, and lots and lots of laughing and talking.




J wearing this years shirt.

J playing in the sand, around what I think is a horseshoe stake. I believe he was building castles.

J and his daddy climbing a tree.

J, with a bad case of cupcake-face and sunblock/bugspray/sweaty little boy hair, and a juice box courtesy of his Nana.




J and his daddy, with a really big sparkler.

Hey look, I snuck a picture of my husband in amongst all the pics of J. My wonderful husband had to work all day, then drove over to the next county, out into the boonies with little cell phone reception. (Important because he was on call at the hospital.) All just to spend a couple hours with my family, because he knows how much it means to me!

One of the more tame pieces that we did early on. This one was great, by the way. The name had the word popcorn in it, and it went on and on.

J and his uncle, Mr. GreenVeggie.

The boy is crazy over watermelon.