Family Album: July 4, 2009

At the last minute, I decided to drive down to Cincinnati to spend what time of the Independence Day Weekend I could with my sister and her family. A rarity for me, I felt organized and actually left my apartment at my prescribed time of 5:00. Super-cool. The trek down 75 is a cinch, and it seems I just blow by every town along the way until I get off at the exit right after Touch Down Jesus. It helps that Shelley is actually in a suburb a little north of Cinci; the drive is that much shorter. An hour after I arrived, we left for a festival in Mason, Ohio. Huey Lewis and the News headlined a free concert for an audience easily numbering in the thousands. We  found a patch of lawn and camped out to the sounds of Power of Love and Hip to Be Square. Note to self: Why do I always leave the Zippo at home? The fireworks started after dark, and I was tickled to be able to play with some of the settings on my newish camera. Low-light and Fireworks settings. Pretty impressive shots to me, if I could keep my hands a little steadier.

Peyton was mesmerized by the fireworks, which we welcomed, since we were a little concerned about what her reaction might be. Her first 4th, and she's already an American Girl.

We drove there in Shelley and George's new minivan; a Honda Odyssey. When I first heard about it I had a few laughs at the thought of a former sorority girl trading in her sporty SUV for a grocery-getter, but now all I can say is, "Don't knock it 'til you tried it." The thing is PLUSH with more bells and whistles on it than the freakin' Starship Enterprise. First of all, like every single moving part on the damn thing is remote freakin' controlled. Doors? Windows? Liftgate? Personalized Driver Seating Position? Check. Check. Check, and Check. Yes, I know it's a minivan, but it was enough to make me green with gadget envy and want to pull an Angelina Jolie and adopt 50 kids just so I would have an excuse to buy one.

I spent the night, and hung out during the day with Shelley. A few of her friends came over around 5:00 and we grilled chicken and veggies. I made rice pilaf. I had to leave around 9:00p, knowing that I had to work the next morning, but all in all it was worth it and I was glad I went down. How else would I get pictures like this?