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!
We can dine and celebrate at the same time.
The flowers even smell pretty!
The fireplace is perfect for decorating.
We have eight pillows which we decorate for the holidays!
Even the plants join in!
The other four pillows stay in the TV room!
The front yard gets special attention!
We always have special lighting!
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.
The kitchen island is the favorite spot because that's where to appetizers are!
Jim and Vicky find a place at the table where they can visit.
Here comes a story!
Fast Eddie and Dianne discuss their choices.
Fast Eddie tries a little of everything!
Smile!
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!
We made sure the chef was in uniform!
The Dynamic Duo!
"Bring on the meat, we are ready!"
The BBQ is at 450 degrees, perfect for a quick meal!
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.
Remy and Lilly are NOT varmints, they are delightful GREAT grandchildren!
Robin keeps them busy!
...Without the need for a a TV!
Jim enjoys the activities!
Vicky a Greg trade stories!
Someone talks with their hands.
Fast Eddie is first in the line for burgers!
On your mark, get ready, go!!!
Oh my! Decisions decisions!
P-s-s-s-s-s-t, I have a secret plan!!"
Thanks you Dru for the lovely veggie plate!
Paul assisted with the corn!
Fast Eddie, always the gentlemen!
We are ready to eat! Make way!!!
Dru was very helpful, always a delight to be around!
Bill does not know where to start!
"You didn't tell me that lunch was served!!"
Meet the "President of the Montebello Girls Club!"
"Yes, I was president and the only member!"
Dressed for the occasion!
Mary and
Sandee share a moment
Catching up!
Thank you Dianne!
Photo-bombed!
Great timing by Robin!
Busy "talking" to Texas!
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!!
The driveway tent was set up and we had MORE FOOD! Oh my!
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!!!
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
I feel a prayer coming on ... something about please let me keep all my fingers tonight!
Getting organized!
Almost there!
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
Ka-Boom!!
We all had front row seats!!
It lit up end whole block!!
Mary caught a good pix of the exploding fireworks several blocks away!
We almost had to move back!
Wow!
When you least expect it, they go off again!
The sulfur smell permeates the air!
Lookout!
We hope the fire hoses are ready to go!
Blinding but beautiful!
