Happy 4th of July

Believe it or not, our first 4th of July in Colorado did not involve fireworks.  But it was a fabulous day none the less.  I mean, how bad can it be when your day starts like this?

There were quite a few festivities planned in the village and we took full advantage, starting with a morning parade that happened to go right down Mom & Dad's street.  I picked up some flags and streamers and let Jack go to town on his bike, tied a bow around Ruby's collar and off we went with about 200 others from the neighborhood.  We had so much fun!

Jack & Ruby found a tiny patch of shade while we waited for the parade.

Drew was waiting to take a few pictures and joined us for the rest of the walk.

After the parade Dad and Drew headed to the golf course while Mom, Jack and I went to the park where the neighborhood association hosted a bbq lunch, DJ at the pool and children's entertainer.

Jack & Nana being entertained.

My sister hung out with us at the house that afternoon until we all headed to the golf course to meet the guys for a drink after their round.  Jack was thrilled to join his Dad and Papa on the 18th green.  The kid loves the golf course.

It's slightly off subject, but I can not say enough about how wonderful the weather in Colorado is.  I've eaten more meals and spent more time outdoors in the 3 months we've been here than I did the entire 17 years I spent in Kansas.  And while I won't say I have a tan (not sure that's possible on my fair skin), I am definitely a shade I don't recall ever being as an adult!  The humidity is a non-factor so while it gets plenty hot (the sun really is more intense at higher altitude), you are not instantly dripping with sweat and gasping for air when you walk outside.  The dry air means the bugs are almost non-existent; as opposed to being eaten alive by mosquitoes in mere minutes. Best of all, when the sun sets behind the mountains it cools down to the 50's and you get a reprieve overnight; so much better than the summertime lows of 75 degrees that we are used to.

So, we spent the entire evening of the 4th outside.  We grilled steaks and potatoes, made an apple pie and ate in the courtyard where it was perfectly comfortable and bug free.

But there is a downside to all of the dry air.  Fires.  Holy cow I could write a whole post on the Colorado wildfires.  I've done tornadoes and ice storms.  I can understand hurricanes and earthquakes.  But these wildfires are like nothing I've ever experienced and, quite frankly, totally freak me out.  As a result of some fire bans in the area all of the professional firework shows near us were cancelled and of course any personal fireworks were strictly prohibited.  We had plans to drive north about 40 minutes to watch a show in Littleton; however, by the time we were done with dinner everyone was pretty well exhausted.  With work and school on the agenda for the next day we called it a night and skipped the explosives - as well as the 90 minutes of drive time to see them.

Even without a grand finale of fireworks, we had a wonderful day celebrating the USA!