Why not double the celebration??!!

So this really happened.
My other little sis got engaged!!

How lucky are we, that we are gaining not one, but TWO new brothers/sons/uncles in our family?!

This guy (my new future brother!) skillfully acquired a gorgeous vintage ring and it quickly burned a hole in his pocket. After a special day spent together in the city, he got down on one knee and popped that oh-so-serious question.

And she said yes!

 

We had a lovely impromptu party a few weeks ago to celebrate the exciting occasion (and Father's Day!) on my sister's city apartment rooftop.

The weather cooperated beautifully, and we were even graced with a gorgeous sunset.

Delicious food and fine drinks were enjoyed by all; caressed by the warm summer breezes swirling over the rooftop, we sat entranced (minus interruptions from a certain 4-year-old boy) as they recapped the whole story for us.

Certain said 4-year-old felt pretty special to be up late and part of the festivities.

We had many things to celebrate that night.

An amazing father, the blessed gift of loving family and friends, and another splendid addition to our growing family.

Huzzah! Salud! Prost! Opa!
May God richly bless these two in the years to come!

 

Let Freedom Ring

Another year. Another summer. Another Independence Day celebration.

We sat on the side of the road, sharing in the excitement, watching our boys in their sleepy states (yes, we did put them to bed and then yank them out again) as they tried to process the noise and excitement all the while likely secretly longing to be back in their beds

The next morning, this guy got to decorate his NEW (as in garage-sale new) bike to ride with the other children to the parade.

 He couldn't have been more proud of his bike.

The next morning also brought the aftermath of staying up late to watch fireworks.

Well, tantrums and meltdowns aside, it was fun to spectate the parade on this rarity of a July morning (no sweat, no sun, no sunblock!)

99 cent American flags...

Red-white-and blue buntings and banners...

Star spangled dresses and scarves...

 Flag-tipped fedoras...

Toddlers with firework-pompom headbands...

Babies sleeping through the chaos...

Or trying to shut it out

Uncle Sam on stilts...

Festive pony-riding cowboys...

This is the stuff of which patriotic celebrations are made.

Also, things of slightly less fluff... Recognizing the sacrifices that brought us what we presently enjoy.

Will's shirt reads: Land of the Free because of the Brave.
How those words ring true.

Each year may we continue to raise our children with a deep appreciation of what we have been given.

I leave you with an apropos quote from one of our family favorites, good ole' Ronnie,

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."