Independence Day

Last year, at our old house we could watch an impressive firework display from the comforts of our deck and some coolies in the back yard. We held a party every year and we loved seeing our friends "Oooh" and crane their necks backward with a smile as the sparkles sprawled across the night. Aftershock booms stopped then restarted our hearts while car sirens nee-oooh'ed in the background. There was no better seat in the house.

This year, however, our view was very different. We packed the family up to get a glimpse of fireworks launched from the National Mall. We drove downtown with the rest of the Tri-State area and found our way to the top of a 3 storied Macy's parking garage. People had lawn chairs, blackberries, and clear plastic cups. We weren't in Kansas anymore.

Though perched high on a crowded cement lookout, somehow seeing the firework show in DC this year had its own charm. It helped that my brothers from New York drove all the way down here to spend it with us (okay, to see lots of other family too but we scored their visit on the 4th). They could've watched big lightshows and heard thundering booms from their own cityscape but chose to hang out with us four in the Nation's Capital instead. We may have been more than a mile away from the festivities but the fact that we could make a party out of a parking lot was proof that it really doesn't matter where. It only matters who.

Hope yours was spent with loved ones too.















The Uncles flanking Abby & Dada





















Abs, Hubby, Me (why do I look like I'm in a nightgown?), Uncle Donnie, Uncle Alex, G















Me, the back of G's head, and a spectacular backdrop.





















New friends (from New York!) made that night while our toddlers weebled and wobbled around the parking lot together.




















Uncle Alex offers a special customized seat.