these pictures are kind of backwards ( meaning instead of going through correct chronological order...they are going backwards)  so please forgive me....

this year...the 4th was just not..the 4th.   with my dad just getting out of the hospital and then having to go back in for surgery on Tuesday....we kind of wanted to let him be quiet.  Yes...with 4 of us kids, we could have had a celebration but it just wouldnt feel right.  So this year, everything was on a smaller scale.

of course the city had its professional fireworks display.  Several small towns and cities around us cancelled their city displays due to the dryness but since our city is right on the Missouri River and we use a barge...they deemed it safe so we did have a small scale fireworks display.  

i'm afraid my last post might have come across as being 'bah humbug' in regards to Independence day.  A part of me wants to apologize and say that's really not how I am but truth be told...it IS the truth.  I guess that's why I'm not as 'ate' up about not having our usual celebration.

In any case my sister got me to come out and celebrate with her.  We of course went to the 'show' and ya'll know...I do love the pictures I can get....I love to play around with my settings and figure out what I need to do to get the

perfect shot.

I love the street carnivals that are going on. they block our 'little' downtown area off and have rides, open bars, petting zoo's and different performances.  one group, the touted it as a dance group but they also rapped. 



this little lady was part of the act....

I did get to get a little 'street photography' in...I'm more at ease with taking photo's when I KNOW there are ton's of other people around me taking photo's too so I can blend in more.  I just loved this little girls expression.  She just looked so tired. Hot and tired.

My sis is out there doing the Electric Slide..go sis go sis....get busy.....



this kid...well...He isnt a kid.  He's probably about 21 but to me he seemed so YOUNG!  When did that happen???? when did 21-30 become 'young' to me.  it used to be 15-20 was young...sheeesch....



the guy on the ground was probably more concerned about how freakin' hot the pavement was instead of how the tires rolling across his face. 



I DO hope your holiday was fun, relaxed, chillin' and cool. Until next year.....