Saturday began with Jane dressed up IMG_0449 and after she opened her eyes IMG_0450 she was ready to go as were Sarah IMG_0451 and Suzanne IMG_0452 though Benjamin IMG_0453 preferred to hide and then only appear IMG_0454 in reflection.

We drove off to the restaurant IMG_0455 and headed in IMG_0456 with Father's Day gifts IMG_0457 in tow. The menu IMG_0458 offered some nice lunch specials as we had chips and salsa IMG_0459 and drinks IMG_0460 while we waited for Ben's quesadilla IMG_0461 Sarah's (and David's and Jane's) enchilladas IMG_0462 and Suzanne's tostada IMG_0463 which made for a wonderful meal before David began opening presents and modeled the 2 ties IMG_0464 and then tied them IMG_0465 in simple knots while opening books IMG_0466 IMG_0467 IMG_0468 IMG_0469 to Benjamin's amusement IMG_0470 as Jane IMG_0471 Benjamin IMG_0472 and Suzanne IMG_0473 allowed Sarah to take further food pictures IMG_0474 IMG_0475 IMG_0476 IMG_0477

After lunch, we did errands at the shopping center getting Yu-Gi-Oh cards for Ben IMG_0478 and change back in our pockets IMG_0479 As Benjamin posed with the cards IMG_0480 Sarah began her search for the Nalgene IMG_0481 helped by this gentleman IMG_0482 who helped us decide. Once we got the Nalgene and a carabiner IMG_0483 we were ready to go to Eckerd to get these supplies for David's trip IMG_0484 as Sarah considered how best to dress her Nalgene IMG_0485 Benjamin studied the trading cards IMG_0486 and David bought this flag IMG_0487 from the Italian cashier IMG_0488 who said you couldn't buy flags in Italy. Next, Suzanne joined the crowd to buy these Floss Swords IMG_0489 which brought her no end of happiness.

We still had time, so we drove on to the frisbee fields but paused en route to record this wedding party IMG_0490 before getting to the field IMG_0491 where Suzanne's joy about the Floss Swords IMG_0492 continued as Sarah returned to the car IMG_0493 for the trip to the concert where we were lucky enough to not hear a bell ringing IMG_0494 so that we could enter the building IMG_0495 and look down at Jane and Fred IMG_0496 who turned to acknowledge our presence IMG_0497 as we recorded the program IMG_0498 IMG_0499 IMG_0500 for the day's music as Sandra Olson and the accompanist IMG_0501 got ready and then gathered the flutes IMG_0502 focusing on Jane and Fred IMG_0503 while Inspector Gadget IMG_0504 videotaped the first song IMG_0505 before Jane returned to tune IMG_0506 for her solo which went smoothly IMG_0507 and inspired Ben and me to explore further IMG_0508 returning in time for the duet IMG_0509 IMG_0510 IMG_0511 before the final group piece which Cindy IMG_0512 IMG_0513 which Cindy IMG_0514 faithfully recorded.

Back at home, Sarah fancied up her Nalgene IMG_0515 and then she and Claire IMG_0516 followed us to the Fourth of July gathering where Carolyn IMG_0517 and Michael IMG_0518 welcomed Suzanne as Lucy and Fred IMG_0519 emerged from the back room. The balloons IMG_0520 made for a festive gathering IMG_0521 as the food IMG_0522 worried Jane and Fred IMG_0523 but amused Sarah and Claire IMG_0524 and I had my gin and tonic IMG_0525 to keep me happy before we headed outside with balloons (surrogate fireworks, no doubt) IMG_0526 IMG_0527 IMG_0528 IMG_0529 IMG_0530 IMG_0531 IMG_0532 and began to release them IMG_0533 IMG_0534 IMG_0535 IMG_0536 IMG_0537 until they could barely be seen IMG_0538 IMG_0539 far off in the distance though we kept looking IMG_0540 IMG_0541 IMG_0542 IMG_0543 to see if they would reappear. Next, we gathered inside IMG_0544 IMG_0545 where the champagne IMG_0546 IMG_0547 IMG_0548 was opened and the cork IMG_0549 removed so that I could be toasted (which was very kind) IMG_0550 IMG_0551 but there was no champagne IMG_0552 for the dog.

Dinner was a Southern style feast of chicken and squash IMG_0553 cron on the cob and greens IMG_0554 and grits IMG_0555 all served on festive linens IMG_0556 which looked better when the flash was not used IMG_0557 as did the plates. IMG_0558 I began with a muffin IMG_0559 and ended up with this plate IMG_0560 of goodies as the kids drank the juice IMG_0561 and Benjamin made headway IMG_0562 towards the clean plate club IMG_0563 all of which amused Carolyn and Michael IMG_0564 as they conversed with Suzanne IMG_0565 and Sarah and Claire IMG_0566 got ready to head off perhaps because of the candle experiments at the other end of the table IMG_0567 IMG_0568 IMG_0569 while we waited for the bananas Foster IMG_0570 which looked much better sans flash IMG_0571 as everyone ate IMG_0572 in great joy IMG_0573 IMG_0574 before the Pop'ems came out IMG_0575 in their bus-like container IMG_0576 to the delight of Benjamin.

After dinner, we went back outside to release the remaining balloons IMG_0577 and try to find them IMG_0578 IMG_0579 as a car drove by IMG_0580 so that we went back in to have chocolate and more sugar IMG_0581 that inspired further conversation by the girls IMG_0582 Michael IMG_0583 and Carolyn IMG_0584 as Benjamin IMG_0585 and the girls IMG_0586 decided to go upstairs while Suzanne IMG_0587 surveyed the remainder IMG_0588 of a very happy meal and a wonderful celebration that ranks with July 4, 2000 and July 4, 2001 and July 4, 2002 in our happy memories.