July 4th Weekend in Livermore - Saturday

The 4th of July was pretty laid-back for us. Carrie and Vivian came downstairs all decked out in red, white, and blue for the occasion. Happy baby meant it would be a happy holiday.

Before it got too hot, Carrie, Vivian, and I went to the fabric store to get an idea on what Carrie wanted for curtains for Vivian's bedroom. We did not buy anything but I got a better idea of her color preferences and style leanings. Afterwards we stopped in Starbucks for a drink for Carrie and to get a coffee to bring back to Dan. Vivian likes straws and kept struggling to reach Carrie's. I suggested Carrie let her have a taste thinking the bitterness would turn her off. She loved it! Just what a 15 month old needs at nap time... caffeine!

We posed in various permutations of people groupings for the obligatory family portrait in front of the house. Folks dressed in Americana colored attire. Our house was in the spirit of the day – flag pillows, blue door and bench, red flower pots. We even had Dan's patriotic skateboard with stars and stripes displayed as an accent piece.

Here are the smiling grandparents with smiling son and serious granddaughter.

Take smiling son out of the picture and serious granddaughter turns to serious melt-down when held by Grandma.

Afterward, Dan went to visit his college friend Ryan in Martinez about 40 miles away. Carrie and Vivian stayed behind because Vivian's nap was delayed. Hmmm... perhaps the caffeine? All was well once we were back in the house. "It's okay if I pull your hair, Grandma, just don't try to pick me up!"

On his return trip home, Dan picked up Alex so we could all have a spaghetti dinner together and go to Livermore's fireworks display. Our house is walking distance from downtown so we took an evening stroll to the activities. We had no parking hassles to contend with, and the weather was light jacket or shirt sleeves perfect. The fireworks were set off from the roof of the parking structure behind our performing arts and movie theatres. We set up seats on Railroad Avenue just behind the VIP Pass area. Our vantage point was great but, truthfully, any vantage point would have been good.

Here is the view we had. Livermorons just brought their camping or lawn chairs and relaxed to enjoy the show with its accompanying patriotic music. We were very near the speakers but they were not obnoxiously loud.

Alex loves being out at night and he clapped throughout the fireworks.

Dan was very apprehensive about bringing Vivian thinking the loud noises would scare her. We convinced him to try, saying he could always leave with her or cover her ears if it was a problem. The first firework went off, illuminating the night sky, and Vivian utters "Ooh. Aah..." She was enraptured by the whole experience. Her reaction made for a very memorable July 4th fireworks this year.

And although my daughter's branch of the family was not here in Livermore this 4th of July, I wanted to share this picture to show that they were here in our thoughts.