4th of July 2011

Happy 4th of July from the E. Nusbaum Family!

This year, in lieu of spending our time in Luray, we had an old fashioned family cookout and celebration in my parent's backyard.  I hadn't done that in years!

We kicked off the afternoon by heading out to WholeFoods so Eric could pick up a few must-haves (you know what I mean).  I used the time to snap some super cute pictures of Cassy in her not-yet-messy 4th of July outfit:

Super Squinch Face



The 'Aren't I Pretty?' Look



The 'USA is #1!' Pose

We were going to go to the Leesburg parade before heading over to my parents, but unfortunately we got the time wrong.  It began at 10am, NOT 2pm, like we thought -- so, we just made our way over to my parents' house.

Once there, Cassy immediately joined Maddy in digging in to the all-American snack, cheesey puffs.

Amanda, Mark, Eric, and I started playing Munchkin . . .

While Mom (Nana) kept her granddaughters entertained.

Those cousins are sure getting along nicely these days -- soon we'll be looking forward to sleepovers!!

Maddy is feeding Jell-O to a very hungry Cassidy

Maddy reads to cousin Cassy

Good buddies just hanging out together!

Too soon they won't both be able to fit in this chair . . . :-(

Before too long, we were ready to dig in to the 4th of July spread -- a hotdog bar, with ribs, broccoli salad, cole slaw, beans, and so much more!

After dinner there was, of course, a backyard full of sports.  We ended up having a mixture of lacrosse, frisbee, and football going on at the same time.  This is detrimental if you can't focus on two different things at once.  I found that out the hard way.

Loves frisbee, just like her dad.

Which player isn't playing lacrosse?

And then finally . . . finally!  It was time for dessert (fresh fruit, ice cream, and pound cake!) and fireworks!

FUN WITH SPARKLERS . . .

"The Big One"

"The Titanic"

After the fireworks, we hung out for a bit longer before heading up the bike trail towards Herndon to watch the Town of Herndon's official fireworks display.

Me and Eric

Maddy making bubbles!

Me and my Mom :-)

Snuggling with Dootsy!



Swingin with PopPop

Watching the Action

Lacrosse and watermelon.  Can you get more American?

Around 8:45 or so we headed to Herndon.  My parent's backyard is by the W&OD trail, so we are able to just take that straight to the site.  We go to the same site each time we go to the Herndon fireworks -- the first bumpout after crossing the street.

Walking the Trail

Waiting for the show to start

Flying with Aunt Doots!

Matt and Courtney

Dad being silly

Cassy and PopPop took a walk

Cassy is SO excited for the fireworks!

Mom and Dad

Wrangling Cassy

Seeing the "BIG" fireworks for the first time (well, second, really, but first time THIS year) 

Cassy LOVED the fireworks!  No 'fraidy baby here!

Relaxin' on Matt

Shootin' the breeze with Aunt Doots

Look dad!  Fireworks!!

I am just so thrilled?  Relieved?  Ecstatic?  that Cassy didn't freak out at the fireworks.  There were atleast two other kids around our little gathering that heard the first boom and just lost it.  I mean, I definitely don't blame them -- I'm sure they thought they were under attack or something.  And truth be told, I was sort of relieved to be at Herndon where if I needed to just take Cassy and leave because she was way too scared, I would be able to.  But it didn't come to that.  Not even close!  Cassy would clap and giggle and laugh and point and just stare at the sky in awe waiting for the next pyrotechnic display. 

After the fireworks boomed their last boom and the crowds began to thin, we headed back down the bike trail to my parent's house where we, too, said our good byes.  What an excellent way to spend the holiday!

Happy 4th of July!!











































By the way . . .

This guy says "Happy 4th of July!" too :-)