God Bless America - or How I Spent My Independence Day

I really don't know if the Fourth of July could be much more American than it is at my in-laws house in Boise, Idaho.  We usually get up early and head over to the church pancake breakfast - listening to a great program on freedom while eating way too many pancakes.  Once we head home the rest of the day is spent decorating bikes for their street's parade, swimming, jumping on the trampoline(crack the egg, anyone?), as well as all sorts of general fun.  In the evening their street does their very own parade - with decorated bikes, cars, motorcycles, and this year we even had a police car!  It's really a dream come true for the boys.  Afterwards we start with our sparklers and smaller fireworks - though the true show is across the street.  Mike's childhood friend, Evan Green, puts on THE best pyrotechnic show you've ever seen.  He dresses from head to toe in black - drenches himself with water - turns on some sweet tunes - and dances with firework nun-chucks.  It rocks.  Every year he becomes my kid's hero all over again.  So, that was a lot of talk... how about some pictures?

So, thanks for hosting us so graciously every year, Billy and Sandra.  This is the making of some seriously happy memories for my family.