Third Annual Ka-boomfest

Mikey has had to work every Independence Day that I've known him, so we make a special day beforehand (usually the third of July) to go out to the reservation, buy some massive fireworks, and set them off from our special beach.  We started this tradition the first year we were together.  It's stuck ever since, and each year (like a lot of things around here) it gets better and better.  

It starts out like this:  we head to the Swinomish reservation's Boom City, and buy some mortars, some Roman candles, some bottle rockets, and whatever else looks cool.  This year was no exception, with the "whatever else looks cool" spots being filled with a fountain called "Purple Rain" and some super loud poppers.

Then, we head over to the beach, the exact location of which is under debate every year.  Basically, Google Maps fails us, and somehow converts itself to a mappa mundi.  Luckily, we find it every time anyway.

Once there, we take a quick scan of the beach, and choose our base.  Depending on the day we go and the time we arrive, there are between two and four other groups there.  We unload all our ammo celebratory fireworks, and get all set up.

This year, we added to our tradition in that Mikey built a sweet bonfire from a piece of cardboard and some damp driftwood.  His fire-starting skillz are superlative.  Kirsten and Chloe are great helpers when it comes to collecting firewood, too.

Once the fire was going, and we had all gotten settled in, we played on the beach while we waited for the sun to go down a little more.  After having lived in Washington for over 11 years, one thing that still amazes me is how late it stays light out in the summer time.  I mean, right now it's 9:03 PM, and still bright enough outside that you wouldn't have to turn your lights on to drive.

We even found Aunt Tia her own special seat.

See what I mean about those fire-starting skillz?

The sunset was particularly gorgeous when we went back the next night.

Kirsten found some, uh, interesting artifacts as well...  Really, set Kirsten in a room that is empty in the middle of nowhere, and she will find something unconventional to play with, and she'll know everyone within a five mile radius.  

We didn't take too many pictures once the sun went down far enough and we started lighting fireworks.  We were too busy enjoying them and each other to take many pictures.  I did get a few, though.  And Tia helped in that department, too.

Run!  Quickly!

We had a fantastic evening together.  Building little traditions as a family is super fun, and bonds us all together even more.  Kirsten and Chloe were exceptional, and enjoyed the time to play on the beach as much as we enjoyed watching them and playing with them.  The fact that we got to spend more time with Aunt Tia was an added bonus, too.  The girls really love it when Aunt Tia is around.  (So do we, of course, but we're not as cute about it as they are.)  Here's to another family tradition, an evening to remember with our whole family together.  Happy Independence Day!