a Fireworks and Food Filled Fourth of July!

My family doesn't have very many holiday traditions. I guess we just kind of do whatever the moment calls for at holidays.  However the fourth of July is an exception to this unspoken rule.  For the past 19 years we've gone to our friends, The Crumb's, independence day party. They live in an enormous five-story house right on the marina of Marina del Rey. Its so absolutely relaxing and beautiful! You can sit on one of their four decks and look out into the sunset, and see the glassy water down below. I guess the only way to describe it is serene. So this year, in keeping with 'tradition' we all got dressed and headed on down to their house. I brought my sweet friend KAT with me this year. It was SO fun. 

we got ready for the night (:

leaving!!! (:

on the way!! (: 

After we got there we had an amazing dinner. All the food is put out buffet style. The menu included: homemade crab cakes, ribs, tacos, shrimp, smoked salmon, Caesar salad, apple pie, and fresh fruit. And thats to name half of it. Bliss, right?? 

Then we put our legs in the heated pool....

then we gave in, put our suits on, and hopped in! There was about 9 little girls in the pool with us. It was so fun to talk to them and play around with them. Although we tried to avoid the splashing, we got nailed a couple times... (: We also watched the spectacular fireworks show from the pool. 

 

on our way home! (:

It was such a fun night. One of the most interesting things was seeing how much everyone had changed over the past two years. Last year the family that hosts the party went to Hawaii so there was no party. But their grandson was about 5'9" the last time i saw him. And when he walked in yesterday....he was 6'4". CRAZINESS!!!! 

But as the rest of the country celebrates Americas freedom from England, we can not help but remember OUR freedom from sin, provided in salvation through Christ's death and resurrection! 

"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." 

Romans 6:6-7