{"id":89609,"date":"2025-07-04T09:14:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T16:14:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=89609"},"modified":"2025-07-05T23:49:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T06:49:14","slug":"happy-birthday-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=89609","title":{"rendered":"Happy Birthday America!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sending a dose of patriotism from our family to yours this Independence Day.<\/p>\n

We hit the floor running today as we are expecting 15 family and friends over for a celebration of Independence Day between 1 and 5 pm.<\/p>\n

Becky texted us with a photo of their matching Old Navy shirts.<\/p>\n

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It was 115 degrees in Phoenix today!<\/p><\/div>\n

What did the colonists wear to the Boston Tea Party?\u00a0 Tea-shirts.<\/p>\n

We were almost ready when the first people arrived, and we were so glad it was Robion, Bob, and Nick.<\/p>\n

With their assistance, we were ready by 1:15 pm when Vicky and Jim joined the celebration.<\/p>\n

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Everyone visited the island to see what goodies were in store for them!<\/p><\/div>\n

We had a variety of appetizers, including a homemade avocado dip.\u00a0 Zachary, Becca, and the kids joined us around 1:30 pm on their way to Peanut and Gary’s home (Becca’s parents who live in Garden Grove).<\/p>\n

What did Luke Skywalker say on the 4th of July?\u00a0 \u201cMay the 4th be with you!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Vicky and Jim told stories all afternoon long.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mary found the chef’s hat, and our resident chef was now in his full regalia.\u00a0 Bob is a bbq-ologist and cooks anything on the grill, including peas.<\/p>\n

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Get to work, Bob!!”<\/p><\/div>\n

The great-grandkids, Remy and Lilly, were amazed at the garden, so we sent them out to find strawberries, and they were pretty successful.\u00a0 Even though I do not use chemicals, I taught them to wash the strawberries off.<\/p>\n

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Robin and the great-grandkids talked for quite a while.<\/p><\/div>\n

Meanwhile, at the BBQ, Nick was getting lessons from the \u00f3l Master.\u00a0 We heard them chanting, “Burn, baby, burn!”\u00a0 \u00a0The aroma of hamburgers and hot dogs wafted around the patio, and Scout was going a little nuts.<\/p>\n

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The Master Chef and his accomplice at work!<\/p><\/div>\n

Meanwhile, inside, Vicky and Greg share stories!<\/p>\n

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“Well, Greg, do you remember…………?”<\/p><\/div>\n

Fast Eddie and Dianne were a welcome addition to the gang.\u00a0 \u00a0Dianne brought a flag cake for dessert, which was gobbled down in a hurry.<\/p>\n

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They were in line to get the first of the burgers and hot dogs!<\/p><\/div>\n

The kitchen seems to be the place everyone congregates.<\/p>\n

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Vicky and Dru are about to attack lunch!<\/p><\/div>\n

We were pleased to have Bill Capps and his wife, Sandee, as “first timers” at the annual get-together.\u00a0 We missed the Zaitz and Irene.\u00a0 Bob and Donna were in Oregon visiting Cyndy, while Irene was not feeling well.\u00a0 She did have a good celebration because from her perch on the 11th floor of he new home, she could see the fireworks from Palos Verdes to Malibu!<\/p>\n

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Bill was hearing the story of the “Montebello Girls Club raffle,” when Vicky was president AND the only member.\u00a0 It was Vicky’s first crime spree.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mary and Sandee have become good friends, and Mary provided Sandee with a plastic bag and some clippers and sent her to the garden to go shopping.<\/p>\n

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Everyone had a wonderful time!<\/p><\/div>\n

When our family and friends gather, it’s a happy time.<\/p>\n

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Beautiful smiles!<\/p><\/div>\n

Dianne’s dessert is now on display.\u00a0 It’s almost too beautiful to cut, but we managed to do so!\u00a0 The cake was magical, and it disappeared when no one was looking.<\/p>\n

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Oops, there are only 49 blueberries!<\/p><\/div>\n

After 5:00 pm, everyone headed home except Robin, Bob, and Nick.\u00a0 They stayed with us, and Bob drove his car to Joe’s house (our son) for a fireworks demonstration, par excellence!<\/p>\n

No, more food!\u00a0 We were busting at the seams.\u00a0 We brought dessert, but we also managed to sample some of the goodies.\u00a0 This group has some amazing cooking talents.<\/p>\n

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The tent shielded us from the sun’s rays!<\/p><\/div>\n

Joe managed to obtain a “Gumby lighter”.\u00a0 \u00a0Remember Gumby?<\/p>\n

Gumby, the bendable clay animation icon, debuted in 1955 on “The Howdy Doody Show”.\u00a0 His series, “The Gumby Show,” began in 1957.\u00a0 Key trivia points include his flexible plasticine material (requiring multiple figures per scene), his iconic green color, and his loyal sidekick, Pokey the horse.<\/p>\n

He was available on eBay.<\/p>\n

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Gumby saves the day!!<\/p><\/div>\n

Joe checks out Gumby to make sure his flames are long enough to set off the fireworks.<\/p>\n

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Gumby is the green one!
Brave son, lighting fireworks in sandals.<\/p><\/div>\n

Joe changed shoes, the sun disappeared, and the work began!\u00a0 Opening, sorting, and organizing get underway seriously.<\/p>\n

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Getting ready to begin requires a BIG bucket of water and homes at the ready!<\/p><\/div>\n

We had a large crowd, including family and friends.\u00a0 Amy’s (our daughter-in-law) Mom and Dad were here, along with the grandkids.\u00a0 Robin managed to find some patriotic music and played it during the fireworks.\u00a0 I was ready to get up and march around the fireworks table.<\/p>\n

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All eyes were on the fireworks!<\/p><\/div>\n

Ka-Boom!\u00a0 The entertainment begins.<\/p>\n

Why did the duck say bang?\u00a0 Because he was a firequacker.<\/p>\n

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Flames shot 500 feet into the air!\u00a0 OM, maybe five feet!<\/p><\/div>\n

Live action tells a better story!<\/p>\n