Happy Birthday, America!

We had a fun Fourth of July and the fun started that morning. Max and Sam wanted to come over early to play with their cousins. But they did not come alone - no they brought The Turtle. He was quite popular. The kids decided he needed a swimming pool and tried to use my good ice chest for that little activity.Max cannot take a picture without making a face, it seems. Here he is, putting Mr. Turtle in a bucket I managed to swap him as a turtle pool. Poor turtle, keep getting pushed completely under the water, I think they thought he was a fish.

No one but Max would hold the little fella, but surprise of surprises - there was one other child who was brave enough to touch him and it was...........
Lily! A shocker, I know, as you can see, she went for the one finger touch, but, hey, it was better than anybody else.
All spiffed up and headed for the Cheaps to begin the celebration!
As soon as the noise began, Sam sat in his chair, holding his ears........
then Mom can to the rescue with super duper earplugs........
it must have done the trick, because then he jumped right into the action. I have used those earplugs before and I never noticed them working very well. At least, they didn't seem to block out Greg's snoring.
Cooper loved setting off the fireworks, but he never watched them go off.....
he was too busy running away as fast as he little legs would carry him :D I hope he stays that cautious, but I have my doubts.
I just had to post this superior picture of Josh, he was overjoyed with the fireworks display.
Emily wanted to pose with each little rocket or firecracker.
Those of us that didn't light any fireworks, just sat back and enjoyed the show.
I think that Chad could become a pyromaniac - he and Bert spent a lot of time combining bombs and rockets for "experimental purposes."
It wouldn't be a proper Fourth without an "Annie Sparkler Dance." She has them perfected!
Poor Ben, didn't get go light any Roman Candles. As you can see by his expression, he is not too happy about it. He was trying to coax a little more spark out of this one.
I hope you all had a great Independence Day, I know we did!
Postscript: Notice my new header! A big thanks to my beautiful daughter, Katie! She took the picture and made the header. I love it! Isn't she talented!