How do you choose ...

How do you choose what photos you want to share -- I don't want to share so many that it is a chore to look through all of them. But, it's difficult to choose from some 200 photos of an awesome 4th of July.

Bob's brother, Bill, and his granddaughter, Bernadette (better known as Bernie). Mom and Dad, Marcia and Steve, are in the background.

This photo is taken from where we were parking our cars -- up by the barn!

The day started out with pouring rain. We were almost discouraged but since Bob's sister, Linda and her husband, Tom Davis, have a huge home, we knew that we'd probably be okay. Their home sits in the Greenwood, Indiana city limits but unless you have been there, you probably won't find it. Back a lane between a barn and a garage is an absolutely gorgeous view -- from a two story home (with full basement) to over 30 acres of ground -- it makes for a wonderful place to gather. Tom even shared his wading boots for some to follow him down to the creek. The recent flooding actually came to within 30 feet of their home!

Some of us hadn't seen each other in a long time so we didn't get too far into the house before the hugs began!




Tom set up a water slide down their front yard. I have no idea how long it is but it was very long! He added sprinklers (with both hot and cold water until the hot water ran out -- it was a cold day in Indiana!) He also poured out three bottles of dish soap in the afternoon and another two in the evening! The kids slid for almost two hours!!

We gathered around noon -- and the rain was letting up. By the time Tom had put down the water slide, it was not raining but it was still quite cool. We weren't sure whether the kids would last too long ... ha! They lasted about two hours -- and then started up after dinner!!

They went all out food wise and from lunch through a cookout (with chicken, turkey fillets, hamburgers, hotdogs -- all the stuff that goes with it -- salads, chips and dips, baked beans (you can't have the 4th without baked beans!) .. and all kinds of stuff. The orange cake was so good! Ice cream sundaes finished the evening right before Tom presented an awesome fireworks display.

I think Linda said we had about 52 for dinner -- by the time the evening concluded, more were added. What a day ... so, I guess it's easier just to share some random photos. I added about 50 on my 'facebook' account -- click here to see them ..

Looks can be so deceiving ....

A follow-up to the photo at right ... that actually is my niece, Shara, who doesn't seem to be afraid to do anything! (Well, relatively speaking!)

These photos were taken at youth camp during a lip sync 'competition' ... maybe not a competition but some sort of event. I hardly recognized her at all!!! (Don't worry -- that is root beer in her hand!)

Stand on your heads ...

It was one of those gorgeous Indiana days that are quite rare ... at least, in my memory. It seems like cloudy days are more the norm. But, today was beautiful even if it was a bit windy -- well, a lot windy!!

So, while the kids were playing in the pool, I told them it was time to stand on their heads -- and so they did. Wish they obeyed their parents all the time like they did this time .. oh, I wasn't the parent -- just the aunt!

They had quite a fun filled afternoon -- and we didn't realize just how sunny it was until this evening when everyone is a little red -- well, a lot red!!

I received a very cool welcome when I arrived in Indy -- but I welcomed the "cool welcome" readily!! It was about 72 degrees with a pretty stiff wind! It blew through my mother-in-law's home .. no, it didn't blow it over but she opened windows and doors so the breeze would flow right through it. It was refreshing!!

Now I am spending a couple days in Spiceland, Indiana -- population 800. Eight of those are related to me which makes the town special. (There's not much else special about it! lol!) It's always great to be with family!

On the 4th, I will be spending the day with Tom and Linda (Bob's sister, photo above) along with about 40 others. Tom has purchased fireworks (and wish he would learn how -- he had a dud already and thankfully, it didn't hurt Addison, Linda's granddaughter, who was nearby. Actually, it probably wasn't the fireworks fault -- duh!) There will be more food than we know what to do with ... typical 4th of July eats ... throughout the day. They live on over 30 acres in Greenwood, Indiana -- within the city limits!

So I'm looking forward to a nice weekend!!

Fireworks ... enjoying some, avoiding others!!

I spent the night in Murfreesboro -- I didn't really notice when I checked into a hotel that there was a fireworks store right in front of the room where I was staying. But, about 9pm, I heard fireworks and looked outside. Quite a magnificant display for about half an hour.

I had avoided a fireworks display earlier as I left the Atlanta area. I am always so thankful for prayer support and God's guidance and safety as I travel. As you can see from the photo above, the storm had just moved across the area where I was driving -- it was just barely to my right and the roads took me right around it. Okay, so roads don't actually take you anywhere -- contrary to the country song, "Country roads, take me home ..."

So, I am blessed -- I talked to Susan late last night and she told me that there had been severe storms in the Atlanta area and she was a little concerned whether I had encountered any. I assured her that I was safe -- God had taken awesome care of me as I traveled!

Now I'm off for Indy!! Again, would appreciate prayer as I travel.