under the magnolia tree

The night before the 4th of July we took the number 10 bus that basically left our backyard and took us right downtown.  We were invited to see the fireworks from my friend's family's gorgeous penthouse apartment with 360 degree views of the city and lake.  

It was a very foggy evening so when the fireworks started we weren't sure we going to see them.

But, we did!  And, they sure were pretty.

The bus ride home was a very different; crowded and long. The kids thankfully fell asleep in our laps and the bus pulled into our neighborhood and we dropped them into bed.  It was a big night for them both.

The next morning we headed the two blocks to town to see our grand parade.

We saw lots of friends and neighbors.

Got LOTS of candy and even sunglasses!

The kids got a kick out of the Whitefish Bay water tower float made from two plastic swimming pools!

Nani and Musa arrived for a couple of days on their way up to the island and we had some friends over for a Backyard BBQ.

We capped off the holiday with the Whitefish Bay Fireworks on Lake Michigan.  Magnolia listened to her blaring iPod trying to drown out the booms.  Georgie, on the other hand, wasn't fazed in the least.

It was a spectacular 4th of July!!!