California Trip - Day 4

Happy 4^th! Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. While sometimes it feels like our country is falling apart the reality is that it’s still the best country on Earth. We are incredibly blessed to live here, to have the freedoms that we have and to have military and service men and women who sacrifice to protect the blessing of freedom that we enjoy. While I always enjoy traveling to foreign countries, learning about their culture and seeing the sites, it always gives me a greater appreciation for the United States. I wish more people had been instilled with a love of country and respect for our land. There are too many that take for granted, that which we have. I have, and always will, try to instill in my sons, a love and respect for this great nation.

We started the celebration off by swimming with cousins at the hotel pool. They had a great time executing cannon balls, getting launched by Uncle Tevye and giving themselves beards with the foam in the hot tub. It was more successful cousin bonding at its best.

One thing I like to do when we are in California is eat meals at places that are unique to CA. We try to find our favorite places that we used to frequent that we don’t have in Arizona. We had lunch one day at Togo and for lunch on Monday we ate at Pick-Up Stix. It was just as delicious as it’s always been. It was the perfect lunch spot.

The evening of the 4^th we went to a gathering at Marc and Karen’s house in La Habra. They were having some friends and family over. We got to visit with all of them, many of which Ricky has known for 25 plus years and I’ve known as long as long as Ricky and I have been together. It was a wonderful night of fun, food, friends and fireworks.

After a long night of much needed sleep, we got up the next morning and headed home. It was a fun and memorable trip for the books. I hope that our travels give the boys opportunities for connecting with family and friends, broaden their perspective on the world around them and create wonderful lasting family memories. 

The boys with Grammy.

Lincoln, Vance and Caden

 Lincoln, Caden, Vance, Logan and Danica

Cousin group hug.

 Two of Vincent's friends, Vincent, Logan and Lincoln

 Uncle Mark on the BBQ

 Karen ringing the bell for dinner.

 The fly over to start the fireworks show.

 The boys doing a little cheers. 

 Logan carefully doing sparklers

 La Harba fireworks show.

 Lincoln was way excited about the fireworks this year. 

 Mark Mower, Rick, Marc Rizzo and Mike Rizzo

 All the boys

Me, Ricky and Karen