HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!

This year was our very first 4th of July living away from family.  It was strange not having family plans like BBQ's, Grandma Dunham's birthday party, pool parties, the ranch, a huge parade (they do it at Christmas here and I LOVE it), the Freedom Festival, and attending Stadium of Fire.  I kind of feel like July snuck up on us, also. Hi, how is it already only 5 and a half months til Christmas?! But anyways, I know it is safe to say that we each had a superb holiday.  And I kind of liked that we didn't have a million places to be.  It was our holiday and so much fun! Gordy and I both had work off and decided to spend the day away from the normal cares of school work and house work.

We started off our day with a motorcycle ride through some back dirt roads.  It was fun to explore and really appreciate "Alabama the Beautiful" as the signs always say.  We are constantly in awe of how green and lush it is out here...it's so beautiful! To quote G, "I didn't know Utah was really a desert until we moved out here."

I apologize in advance for the semi-crappy iphone photos.  It's all we had with us!

 ^^^The face that G gets when he asks me to stand by the bike for a pic.^^^

 ^^^The cutest babiest wild blackberries ever!^^^

We went for a swim at our friend's pool and went back home to have a small BBQ with our friends, the Anderson's.  Dude, ribs.  Soooo good.  Then we headed downtown to G's work to watch the fireworks from the roof! Man, did we get the best seat in the house!

^^^ Downtown Birmingham.^^^

^^^On the rooftop with the Anderson's.^^^

^^^G's favorite fireworks (its a star).^^^

They timed the fireworks to a bunch of patriotic songs including Sweet Home Alabama (which is definitely patriotic down here) so we could listen to the radio and watch the synchronized fireworks! It was great! Also, that white statue is the Vulcan.  If you've ever been to Bham then you know what that is. If you don't, then here.

Saturday night we went to the Baron's baseball game here in Birmingham with the Anderson's.  It was a blast! The Barons are a minor league team and an affiliate team for the Chicago White Sox (which is why Michael Jordan played for the Barons years ago).  #funfact

 ^^ I can't stop looking at this pic of my handsome husband! Love him mucho. ^^

They also had fireworks after the game and even though we got showered with ashes we still loved it.  Cheers, America! We are so proud to be Americans and love this beautiful country.  This summer and city are times to remember.