4th of July

Fourth of July. How I love spending it with all the Morbys in Galveston. This time was especially stress free thanks to Steve and Kerry arranging all the sleeping, eating, and doggie removals for the weekend. The family and the occasional dating friend is just too big to all cram in the three bedroom house. Trust me, we are all sleeping wall-to-wall.

The night before the 4th Pirates Beach was putting on it's own fireworks celebration. We got their early to listen to the music. Justin was having a time with "Silly Steve" as he calls him. Steve was eating his eye at the moment.


Amy always loves a good dance, so my mom and Amy were swaying to the tunes.


We got a photo of the red twinkies. Justin calls this his Papa shirt, which reminds him of the very shirt that my dad is wearing.


Just to show you that I too can be humble with my photos.


I didn't bring my flash, and even with the ISO on 3200 I was struggling. So I embraced my few fireworks photos with a touch of blur added to them.


Aw the shoes that accumulate when 21 people leave their shoes by the door.


Justin comes bounding down the stairs at a bright and cheery 6:23 am one morning. Cousin Grant is asleep on the couch. Justin, very concerned, goes over to him and asks him what he's doing there. Grant mutters that he is sleeping. Justin ponders for a bit and then offers for him to go up and sleep on Justin's air mattress upstairs. Justin even adds that he thinks Grant will fit on it. Grant opens one eye as Justin immediately follows with, "Do you have any games on your phone?" So grant bleary eyed opens his phone to a car racing game while Justin played it on the deck. Then Grant went upstairs to sleep on Justin's bed.


Mom is pointing out how Justin tightens his backside and turns his feet in while he plays the game. Someone stop the madness.


Then it was time for the 4th of July parade.


JT was ready and decked out in as much red, white, and blue as possible.


I fear a multitude of photos with this face to come. Do I have to take this photo?


Some people go all out on this parade, trying to win the prize with the best float.


God Bless America


Our golf cart didn't win any prizes, but Justin, Papa, Birdie, and Amy had a great time throwing out candy from the Starburst tournament.


My grandmother's birthday is July 5th, so we usually have a celebration for her while at the beach. She is opening Justin's yellow duck that he colored just for his Gigi. This weekend he struggled with hearing everyone else call her Grandma and he was calling her Gigi.


The whole crew


Justin always enjoys him some cousin Valerie. Had to crop ole Dawson out of the back who was making faces...


I was a little patriotic myself.


Justin had to take a dip in the canal with Dawson before we left.


The rope swing has been around a long time. Now it's time for another generation to take its turn. But not before a show from Dawson first.


Justin is literally pushing Derek away though he needs his help to grab the swing.


And he went left


and then right


and then took the plunge. Then repeat.


We drove home on the 4th, took naps, missed our neighborhood parade due to the sleeping, and then headed over to Shane's house for a last celebration before the house sold. Uncle Shane likes him some kisses.


Justin loves his uncle Shane


Here's the old married couple with our patriotic colors. I think we were all in bed asleep before the Houston firework show even started. Oh well, we got our fix in Galveston.


....My Home Sweet Home....


But wait, let's not forget about ole Roxy. She was left behind at the house for the first time ever. I had two neighbor girl come and check in on her and let her out to go potty. I came home to this:



Along with a note telling me just how depressed our little furry friend was. She not only growled at my two sweet girls when they arrived, but would not budge from her bed on the steps. They left the TV on for her for her to think that people were here, as well as hand fed her so she wouldn't starve. Never once could they get her outside. I had one wet spot at the top of my stairs, but other than that we were fine. Oh the drama of girl dogs!