4th of July

We all know the real history and meaning of why we celebrate the 4th of July. So I won't bore my readers with any of that....even though I personally LOVE this holiday and why we celebrate. But here's the way the Raile's celebrate the 4th......

With FOOD

This wasn't our only food....just the cake on the table before I started putting out the rest of the food. They were too pretty not to get a picture. They tasted good too.

Laura and Samual kept snacking on this bag of Doritos all day long. They even ate them while watching fireworks. They ate the whole bag!

With FUN

The little kids....Katelyn (7 1/2), Laura (3 1/2) and Samual (4) had a great time playing. Their favorite was our water fight. We go all out with water guns of every size, buckets, whatever can hold water. Adults and kids alike participate. No pictures though, I didn't want to ruin my camera.

Laura had tons of fun with the sparklers. She looks like she has a flame coming out of her head here. LOL!

A better picture of her with a sparkler. She really did love them. Big sister doesn't like them though.

Samual had a blast with the sparklers too. Daddy Aaron had to help him though as he was a bit dangerous waving his around.

Jacob had fun entertaining us....and we had fun watching him entertain us. Here he is with a roman candle which are legal in our city.



With FRIENDS

Jacob was a great sport with the little kids. I know he was annoyed a few times but really he was a great friend and kept them entertained all afteroon.

Left-right: Elizabeth, Sandra, Kathryn (me of course).....love how my shirt is still wet from the water fight earlier. We all met and became friends in the Los Alamitos Ward.

The Skinners on the right.....Samual, Elizabeth and Aaron

The Hayhurts on the left.....Erick, Cameron, Jacob, and Sandra

Aaron and the Hayhurts ready to watch the fireworks


With FAMILY

My grandma actually came out this year. She seemed to enjoy it. And no, granny did not participate in the water fight in case anyone is wondering. haha!

My dad is always hamming it up for the camera. I think he was glad he didn't have to man the grill. :)

Grandma, dad, mom, Laura and Katelyn getting ready to watch fireworks.


With FIREWORKS

Our city still allows the ground show stuff...you know the "safe and sane" ones. We live on a street great for setting these off pretty safely. Plus we get a great view of all the illegal air show ones that people set off every year in the city just to the south of us. We don't need to spend money to see a show......we do just fine on our own. :)

Jacob was in charge of setting off the ground show for us.....under very strict adult supervision. He was entertaining us with a roman candle here after we realized it wa a roman candle and that's why it would stand like the others. haha!

Katelyn did very well this year. Usually she's found hiding behind the cars or running around freaking out. Also the neighbor usually lends her his headphones he uses to block out loud sounds while woodworking cause of how freaked out she gets. This year she just plugged her ears and curled up with her blanket and semi-enjoyed it. Yeah she's never been too fond of the loud noises of most fireworks.

To all those who have served our country past or present, to anyone who has had a loved one sacrifice their lives for our country, we thank you for your service and dedication! We hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July whereever you were!