America the Beautiful

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and then the 4th. I don't consider myself overly patriotic, although I definitely get teary eyed and have my heart swell with gratitude for patriotic songs, fireworks, and any military tributes, so I think I love the 4th more because it was one of the holidays growing up that we had some annual traditions for. We were almost always home (i.e. not visiting relatives, which we did for many of the other holidays) and spent it with two of my BFFs' families. We'd BBQ and swim during the day, then go stake out a spot at the park for the local fireworks show. Afterwards, we'd walk back to the White's house, eat homemade ice cream and cookies, and have our own fireworks show. I can still taste Brother White's homemade strawberry and peach ice cream!

Even though I haven't celebrated like that in a long time, I've always been able to share the 4th with special friends and family and spend some time feeling grateful for this blessed nation I have the privilege to live in. (As a side note, that night after our guests went home, Alyse was asleep, and Brandon was doing work, I went to the gym. I know, I know, we didn't see fireworks, but when you have a baby who needs her sleep and doesn't like loud noises, it's best to stay in! All I could think about was how grateful I was to live in a country that allowed women to go out at night by themselves, exercise in a public gym doing whatever I want, wearing whatever I want, sweating as much as I want, and watching whatever I wanted to on TV. Anyway, I just felt grateful on that Fourth of July night in the gym!) We were able to "host" the Woodlands for the holiday...and I use host loosely since they brought at least half the food, the BBQ, and all the fun! Brandon's sister, Shari, was in town, so the whole family was almost together (minus Sean and Shari's husband, Ammon). The boys played baseball, the girls visited while Alyse napped, then we went swimming in the pool, BBQ hot dogs and ate lots of yummy food while Alyse enjoyed being the center of attention once again :)

Then, a few days later, Alyse and I went to Morgan Hill and spent a few days with the Woodlands (Brandon joined us Saturday night) playing in the baby pool and water table Grandma Debbie set up in the backyard,

going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (Alyse especially loved the jellyfish exhibit),

playing at Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey (where Brandon use to go play with his family when he was little and they'd visit Monterey or play baseball games out there),

eating lots of yummy food (like going to Super Taqueria where Alyse followed suit and ate big spoonfuls of the pico de gallo!)

and visiting lots with family (including great-grandma and grandpa Woodland).

It was a wonderful visit and so fun to see Alyse develop more of a relationship with all of these people who unconditionally love her....but, take a look, can you blame them???