Our garden isn't exactly thriving, but then we don't give it much attention. Thankfully, zucchini is essentially an edible weed.
On the 4th, we set of "fireworks." They were very minor explosives that made noise and smoke and not much else. See how protective we are of the 2 year old? He's getting more snappers to throw. He doesn't throw them with enough force to set them off. It's twice the fun because he gets to stomp on them to make them explode.
On to the birthday. We celebrated a day early due to a scheduling conflict. After making 26 birthday cakes, I am no longer needed. They have discovered ice cream cake.
The conflict was Ellen's 3 day swim meet. I don't have any pictures yet, but this is the sunset over the Mississippi River taken from our hotel.