Celebration Independence July 4th 2025

We love our country on Land, Sea, and in the Air

We Celebrated At Home With A Pre-Fireworks Party And Fireworks At Joe & Amy's Home

The celebration does require a bit of decorating and Mary was off and running!

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025
We can dine and celebrate at the same time.

Independence Day 2025
The flowers even smell pretty!

Independence Day 2025
The fireplace is perfect for decorating.

Independence Day 2025
We have eight pillows which we decorate for the holidays!

Independence Day 2025
Even the plants join in!

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The other four pillows stay in the TV room!

Independence Day 2025
The front yard gets special attention!

Independence Day 2025
We always have special lighting!

Independence Day 2025

We started the day with family and friends. From 1pm until 5 pm we eat, laugh, and tell stories!    The stories are the same thanks to altzheimers, they are new again!

This year we were missing Irene who was not feeling well  and the Zaitz who were visiting tjeir daughter in Oregon.

Independence Day 2025
The kitchen island is the favorite spot because that's where to appetizers are!

Independence Day 2025
Jim and Vicky find a place at the table where they can visit.

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Here comes a story!

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Fast Eddie and Dianne discuss their choices.

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Fast Eddie tries a little of everything!

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Smile!

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Chef Duda does the honors today with hamburgers and hot dogs for all. Zachary decided corn on the cob should be done in the microwave. The table was ready and everyone's nose was sniffing, especially Scout!

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We made sure the chef was in uniform!

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025
The Dynamic Duo!

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"Bring on the meat, we are ready!"

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The BBQ is at 450 degrees, perfect for a quick meal!

Independence Day 2025

Did You Know? - "Varmints" is a term, primarily used in the United States, for animals considered pests or nuisances, often associated with vermin. It's a colloquial term, often referring to wild animals that cause problems for humans, such as damaging property, crops, or livestock. The term can also be used to describe a troublesome or obnoxious person.

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Remy and Lilly are NOT varmints, they are delightful GREAT grandchildren!

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Robin keeps them busy!

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...Without the need for a a TV!

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Independence Day 2025
Jim enjoys the activities!

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Vicky a Greg trade stories!

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Someone talks with their hands.

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Fast Eddie is first in the line for burgers!

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On your mark, get ready, go!!!

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Oh my! Decisions decisions!

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P-s-s-s-s-s-t, I have a secret plan!!"

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Thanks you Dru for the lovely veggie plate!

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Paul assisted with the corn!

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Independence Day 2025
Fast Eddie, always the gentlemen!

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We are ready to eat! Make way!!!

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Dru was very helpful, always a delight to be around!

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Bill does not know where to start!

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"You didn't tell me that lunch was served!!"

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Independence Day 2025
Meet the "President of the Montebello Girls Club!"

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"Yes, I was president and the only member!"

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Independence Day 2025
Dressed for the occasion!    Mary and Sandee share a moment

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Catching up!

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Independence Day 2025
Thank you Dianne!

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Photo-bombed!

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Great timing by Robin!

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Busy "talking" to Texas!

Independence Day 2025

At 5:30 pm we departed for Joe and Amy's home in La Mirada to watch "Joe's Famous Fireworks Show". The admissions cost was very low and it was time to meet up with old friends again! Robin, Bob, and Nick joined us and this year, Bob drove!!

Independence Day 2025
The driveway tent was set up and we had MORE FOOD! Oh my!

Independence Day 2025
A lighter was needed so the Gumby Lighter was selected!

Thank you Amy for being such an outstanding hostess. Amy just had oral surgery and we decided NOT to publish any pictures as her jaw was also decorated for the 4th. She was however in red, while and blue/black in keeping with the theme!

Even still in pain, she made everyone feel at home! Joe, you did well!!!

Independence Day 2025
Gumby is the one in green, the other one is Joe!

Did You Know? - Gumby is a classic American cartoon character—a green, blocky, clay humanoid—created by animator Art Clokey in the early 1950s.

Gumby first appeared in Clokey's 1953 experimental film Gumbasia and soon became the star of his own stop-motion animated television series, The Gumby Show, which debuted in 1956–57.

Gumby is known for his distinctive green color, slanted head (inspired by Clokey's father's hairstyle), and wide feet, which helped the clay figure stand upright during animation. The character's name comes from "gumbo," a type of clay found on Clokey's grandparents' farm.

Gumby was designed to be racially neutral and symbolize life, according to Clokey.

Gumby's adventures often featured his sidekick, Pokey (an orange pony), and a cast of other characters, including antagonists called the Blockheads, and friends like Prickle the dinosaur and Goo the mermaid.

The show became an iconic example of stop-motion clay animation and was influential in American pop culture, inspiring toys, movies, and parodies.

Gumby's popularity spanned decades, with reruns and revivals on various networks, and he remains a symbol of creative animation and nostalgia for generations of viewers

Independence Day 2025
I feel a prayer coming on ... something about please let me keep all my fingers tonight!

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025
Getting organized!

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Almost there!

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The little kids had to get started with sparklers.

Did You Know? - Sparklers are made from a metal wire coated with a pyrotechnic composition that produces sparks and light when ignited. The main components of a sparkler include:

• Oxidizer: Provides oxygen to sustain the combustion. Common oxidizers are potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate, or barium nitrate.

• Fuel: Fuels the burning process, often charcoal, sulfur, or sometimes sugar or starch.

• Metal Powder: Creates the characteristic sparks. Aluminum, iron, magnesium, or titanium powders are commonly used—aluminum for silver/white sparks, iron for gold sparks.

• Binder: Holds the composition together and attaches it to the wire. Dextrin (a type of starch) or other binders like sugar or starch are typical.

• Wire or Stick: Usually a thin steel wire serves as the handle and support for the composition. Some sparklers may also include color-producing compounds (metal salts) to create colored sparks, and additives to control the burn rate or enhance effects

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025
Ka-Boom!!

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Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025
We all had front row seats!!

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It lit up end whole block!!

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Mary caught a good pix of the exploding fireworks several blocks away!

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We almost had to move back!

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Wow!

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When you least expect it, they go off again!

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The sulfur smell permeates the air!

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Lookout!

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Independence Day 2025
We hope the fire hoses are ready to go!

Independence Day 2025
Blinding but beautiful!

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025

Independence Day 2025