Independence Day 2015

by Kaylah Stroup

 Every year for the fourth of July my parents throw a big party. It always easily one of the best weekends of the summer. Food, family, fireworks! We played in the pond, rode four wheelers, had a massive fire, and caught toads but the highlight for me is usually always fireworks. Okay, and eclair cake. My mom makes the best eclair cake.

Around dusk we all carry chairs over to the hill and play with sparklers. It’s basically become tradition by now that that is how we wait for it to get dark enough for the the real fireworks. My dad is always too excited to wait for it to become completely dark before blowing off at least a few big ones. We all yell “not yetttt!”, and the kids whine “what’s grandpa doing?”

Sparklers are one of my favorite parts of the day though. I bribe the kids that I can be their personal sparkler lighter, no waiting on the other kids to have their turn, if they’ll let me take their picture. No one really falls for it. They’re all at the age that there really isn’t anything worse than getting their picture taken. While they’re entranced, I sneak a few anyway.

That night Jeff and I slept in our hammocks. I had been dreading it all evening because I had a chill. I felt damp after sitting in the grass to watch the show. After fireworks I was just ready to call it a night. When I put Klaus in my parents house for the night I wanted so badly to just curl up on their couch. I decided to give my hammock a shot just because Jeff was so excited about finally sleeping in his. I got in my sleeping bag, maneuvered my way into my hammock, and was asleep in no time at all. I don’t think I have ever been SO cozy. I’ve always liked making little nests to sleep in, and my hammock and sleeping bag were the perfect little cocoon. I’m so excited to sleep in it again! I kind of wish there was somewhere in my apartment I could set this thing up.

(We each own one of these hammocks. They’re under $20, come in a bunch of different colors, and are insanely cozy!)

the aftermath

I ate til my stomach hurt, got lots of pictures I was pleased with, slept cozier than ever, and come home with lots of left overs! I’d call it a successful weekend.
xoxo

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20 comments

Mindi Wooley July 8, 2015 - 12:58 pm

Your fireworks photos are so pretty! Your fourth of July traditions sound like so much fun, and I'm definitely going to have to buy one of those hammocks soon! So cool!

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:20 pm

Thank you, Mindi!

For under $20 you can't go wrong with one of those hammocks. Seriously SO SO SO cozy!
🙂

Amber Gregory July 8, 2015 - 2:06 pm

I've never lived somewhere where fireworks are legal, but growing up in Oregon all of our parents would buy fireworks across the border in Washington, and we'd have a really fun, awesome block party every year. Now that I live in California it is impossible to get fireworks, and I miss those days I had growing up! This looks like so much fun!

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:21 pm

I actually don't think fireworks are legal here either? But everyone just kind of turns their head. 😀

Jason Unoriginal July 8, 2015 - 3:47 pm

I pretty much love the annual roman candle shot! Ha, so good!

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:22 pm

Me too! I'm excited to have a huge collection of them. I wanna be 80 and still taking that silly photo with him.

Cheap Glam Sugar Punk July 8, 2015 - 5:04 pm

My sister was trying to find a good/cheap hammock so I will send her the link

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:22 pm

Glad to be of help! 😉 That one is seriously awesome. Can't believe it was so cheap but still so awesome.

Kayly Nyman July 8, 2015 - 7:44 pm

Gorgeous firework pics! I've never tried sleeping in a hammock before, but the idea of does sound so cozy!

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:24 pm

Thanks, Kayly. 🙂

It was my first time sleeping in one. I've laid in it before a bunch of times but with my sleepbag it was just magic. I love being all cuddled up!

julia July 8, 2015 - 8:14 pm

looks like so much fun! 🙂 and those wonderful fireworks!

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:24 pm

It was! I love the 4th of July. 🙂

Mafer Moncada July 8, 2015 - 8:19 pm

Lovely photographs, it looks like super fun.

Mafer, Concientizando x

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:25 pm

Thanks! 🙂

Kelly Del Valle July 9, 2015 - 12:27 am

Great firework shots!
And yeah. Sleeping in camping hammocks is pretty much the best thing ever. Definitely need mosquito nets here, though!

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:28 pm

You know, I'm super surprised I didn't get eaten alive. Mosquitos at my parents house are usually insane. Guess I was just bundled up so tight none could get to me. 😛

Tara Hammond July 9, 2015 - 1:34 am

It sounds like you had a great 4th of July! Those hammocks definitely look cozy. I've been trying to bribe my employer to getting an office hammock.

Kaylah July 9, 2015 - 2:28 pm

Hah! An office hammock! That sounds great! 🙂

L'Oursonne July 9, 2015 - 3:53 pm

It looks like magic and it's fun to put the "after" picture!
I spend this year my third 4th in USA at Lake Bluf : fireworks were boring (one firework each 20 seconds!) but atmosphere was cool with local people!

The starving artist :o) July 9, 2015 - 4:27 pm

Great photos Kayla!

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