Loving Them from Scratch: fun days

Do you celebrate the Fourth of July with a BANG!?? Do you prefer to celebrate with a quiet, relaxing day?

Do you decorate your home for this holiday? Do you go all out? You know, like, over the top?

It has been said that I go all out with decorating for the Fourth of July, more so than for any other time of the year. And I'll admit it -- I DO! I just can't help it. I decorate for almost all holidays, but try to keep the focus in the proper place, you know?

This is a fun secular holiday, not a religious holiday, so I don't have to keep the focus on Our Lord - although we very well know that the reason this country was founded was strictly for religious freedom. And we do thank God for that!

My maternal grandfather emigrated to the United States in 1922 at the age of 16. He came here all alone. His father had come a few years earlier, leaving all his family in their homeland, sending for the family as he could. My grandfather spoke no English whatsoever. How could he manage to get across the ocean, through Ellis Island, across over half of this country and find his family in Northern Minnesota, all by himself, without the ability to communicate with words? It truly amazes me.

I loved to hear his stories when I was a child. What I remember more than the words, are the emotions I witnessed when he spoke of this wonderful country. This man was a true patriot. He loved this country. And I mean loved this country. All of his sons, and both sons-in-law, served our country in various branches of the military. And my grandpa was so proud of that - of them - for their service.

But this post isn't about my maternal grandfather! That info was just to help explain my propensity for celebrating this birthday of our country with great gusto!

This post is supposed to be about my paternal grandfather!! You see, he was born on fourth of July. He's a Yankee Doodle Dandy!

My Grandpa John - on his 99th birthday - July 4, 2011

And he is 99 years young!! One would never suspect that this man is 99. Really. He easily passes for oh, say, eighties or so. Until he fell this spring and broke his hip, he motored all over on his own two legs. (and although it took some serious talking, he was finally convinced to hang up the car keys just a year or so ago!) Do you remember when I requested prayers for him this spring? Well, he was determined to celebrate his 99th birthday with all the family, and so he did.

His sister Angie turned 90 just two weeks earlier, and so they shared the joyous celebration. She lives in Southeastern Wisconsin, so they don't see each other much. But they do talk on the phone every week.

Grandpa and Great-Auntie Ange

And they prayed grace together before they ate.

(My favorite photo of the day)

They posed with immediate family.

And of course with extended family - and birthday cakes!

We always have a family reunion on the Fourth of July, but some years the reunions are bigger than others. This one was one of those bigger years....

Of course, we just had to have some music!

And for the pièce de résistance: Balloons! Red, white, blue, patriotic, helium-filled balloons!! Only 99 of them!

Do you see the Birthday Boy there, left of center? Everyone who wanted to participate took a balloon, and on his release, we all were to release our balloon as well.

Ready?! Set?! Release!!

Grandpa's 'red bouquet' is holding together...

Fun was had by all!

When we were helping Grandpa back to the car, and bidding farewell, I thanked him for having a birthday on such a fine day. And he looked at me and said, "This was a great day, wasn't it? I sure enjoyed it. In fact, I think I'd like to do it all again next year!"

So, as far as our family is concerned, we've got plans made for next Fourth of July already, its marked on our calendar, and we intend to help Grandpa celebrate his 100th birthday.

We made our way home, had some more outside fun while we waited to run off to see the fireworks.