and the rockets' red glare...

Yesterday was the 4th, and what a 4th it was. I awoke early to fetch supplies at the Kroger...and rapidly baked some chocolate and strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese icing and patriotic sprinkles and made some potato salad (And by "made" I really mean that I put it in a nice bowl, so people would think I made it, because I hate making potato salad, especially when Kroger's is still going to be better than mine).

At noonish, Matt and I went over to the future Bozemans' for a cookout and swimming. There was a watermelon that tasted a lot like lighter fluid; pool dodge ball with tennis balls, Frisbees, and a kick ball; and Mrs. PacMan. While it looks as Casey got hit by an unidentified flying object, I was on the business end of that watermelon. All in all, a ridiculously fun afternoon.
That evening, the Kelley's invited us over to eat with their family (seeing that ours all skipped town on us, pity-invite). It was one of those average BYOM&F parties (Bring Your Own Meat and Fireworks). It all began with a riveting game of whiffle ball, I was very honored to not be picked last, and also to be picked by Chad, who I know is VERY serious about whiffle ball. I heard he did a little pre-game scouting when he saw me catching and throwing a few with Matt (by the way, he did not pick Matt). My team lost, but I am proud to say that I made a double play... whatever that is.
At dinner, all the great American staples were there: Pasta and potato salads, corn on the cob, hotdogs, barbecue chicken, kabobs, ice cream, cake, cupcakes, etc. After dinner I found a yo-yo that truly was a blast from the past, and then the fireworks began. The guys sported the heavy artillery (bottle rockets and cherry bombs), while the girls had some fun with sparklers and roman candles. I totally pretended to be Harry Potter for like a second and got busted. I think we all had our fill of explosives until New Year's, especially Casey. We did our fair share of mere-chilling on the new driveway. Then we partook of the purdiest little cake I ever did see, thanks Bethany!