This is what I get when I try to prove my mother wrong...

I have just spent the last 16 months on the most fantastic journey of my life! Being Mrs. Oklahoma, United States 2011 and spreading my message of modesty and morality in young people was an experience that brought me so much happiness. It also enlightened me to the person I am and made me proud to be the woman I have grown up to be. I may not be perfect but I give my all at trying and I understand, wholeheartedly now, exactly what that means. I have more confidence in myself and my abilities now than ever before!

So, how did I come to these life-altering conclusions?
I listened to my momma. She's only been trying to get me to see these things in myself for, oh, the last 32 years. But it took her and my husband pushing me (quite literally, it seemed at times) to try out for something I would NEVER have done on my own accord. In fact, I fought their insistances tooth and nail, clawing and hissing each time the phrase "You know, with all your talents and accomplishments you should really try out for the Mrs. America pageant. You'd win, for sure!" came up in every. stinkin'. conversation. My eyes instinctively rolled back in my eye sockets, a heavy gust of breath spewed out of my nose and mouth and my arms tensed into a tight bow across my chest. "No, mother. No, dear. I don't do pageants."
But I used to. I was in them all the time as a little girl and loved them!! Actually, won Girl of the Year in 1985 (oh wow, that seems so long ago to say that out loud) and placed in several others. I competed in one later in my senior year of High School and won Miss Talented.
I think I just grew out of them. One day, I became a mom and all that frilly, girly stuff flew out the womb with my placenta and my firstborn, forever to be bestowed upon her, should she so desire.
She never desired.
And that was ok! She wanted to do piano and band and choir and tennis and everything else that makes you an accomplished young lady. Pageants never crossed my mind again.
Until...
One day I got a call from my mom and boy, was she was on a mission. She had decided I needed to try out for the Mrs. America Pageant and was going to convince me I was good enough to do it. By the end of this 30 minute conversation I was completely exhausted and entirely out of reasons and excuses for my mother's convincing to just let the topic die peacefully and with some dignity. I hung up with her and called my husband to laugh at how "my mom actually thinks I should try out for a pageant!"
He didn't laugh back on the other end. Instead, he agreed and told me I should look more into it and just do it.
Just do it?! Since when did his opinion get endorsed by Nike?
Ha! Fine, I thought.
Fine.
And with all the spite in me I could muster I researched all the Mrs. pageant circuits I could find. Mrs. America already had their delegate for Oklahoma so I looked up the United States circuit.
And that's where I locked my foot in the shackle and threw the key far out of reach. The Mrs. United States pageant was still looking for their Oklahoma delegate. This circuit didn't have a Pageant director for my state so, the constestant would be chosen "at large" by a panel of 5 judges. This meant I had to fill out a big long questionaire about myself, my family, my community involvement, any past experience in pageants (and it just so happened that I had TONS of past pageant experience. Go figure), my accomplishments, my goals, and why I wanted to be Mrs. Oklahoma. I didn't want to offend anyone with a half-hearted answer to that last question, so I gave the best I could and sent the form in along with my headshot and a full body shot left over from a photo shoot I modeled in for a college girl's portfolio earlier that year.
Yeah, yeah. It was all a little too coincidental. The next thing I know, I get a fancy letter in December stating I had been chosen to represent the State of Oklahoma in the 25th Annual Mrs. United States Pageant in Las Vegas.
What?
WHAT?! This had to be a mistake. They can't pick me. I'm supposed to be proving my mother and my husband wrong right now. I'm supposed to be calling them, rejection letter in hand, saying "I told you so!"
But, that is not what God had in mind for this little Durant native gal. Instead, He put in me all the excitement from my past pageant years and I became the crying screaming girl that all pageant contestants are reduced to once their name is read as the winner.
And in that instant, my life changed and I didn't even know it yet. I started formulating plans, goals, ideas on what my platform would be and how I would touch and change lives in the next year. This year of my reign was NOT going to go to waste.
In July, I flew to Vegas with my husband and competed in the Mrs. United States pageant. It was just as daunting as it sounds and I was scared to death at times looking at all these extremely beautiful women around me who seemed to have their game on. I would look at myself in the mirror at night before bed and, surprisingly, speak nice to myself. I pep talked myself to sleep. I woke up and smiled in the mirror. THIS was my accomplishment. I didn't need anything else.
But I will admit I wanted that crown. ;)
So, I tried my best and gave my all.
But, even with my best efforts, I did not place in the Top 12. My journey for that title was over. But I still had my title as Mrs. Oklahoma and a very unique platform that has never been done before.
When I came home, back to life and reality, I started receiving phone calls from people - a woman in Chicago, a pastor in Alabama, another contestant from Maryland, all wanting me to speak to their youth about my platform.
The lightbulb came on.
I didn't need a bigger crown and a double rhinestone trimmed banner with the title Mrs. United States on it to get my message all over the US. This message spread itself and I was simply the vessel.
And so grateful was I to be.
So, to my mother and my husband: I'm so glad you believed in me more than I did myself. I'm so glad you didn't give up fighting for me even when I, myself, was fighting against me and you.
I'm so glad I threw the key to that shackle out of reach and didn't turn back looking for an escape. I pereservered and became an even more accomplished woman.
Thank you.

This was the photo for the program book.

This was the photo for the Modesty Billboard I had for a year!

Getting ready!!

Backstage with Mrs. New York (center) and Mrs. Nebraska (in far back). This was the shot chosen for a promo ad for the Pageant Network.

Opening number with the gorgeous Mrs. Pennsylvania, Kate Mack, on my right. I was completely horrified by these little dresses we were all forced to wear that were a completely mockery of my platform. I begged to add length and some cap sleeves to it, but was denied. 

State Costumes.

Evening gown competition. Mine was not the fanciest, by far. But it was my own design, it was modest and I was quite proud to wear it.

Swimsuit competition. I was docked 3 pts. per judge (15 pts total) for wearing a one-piece. THIS is why I did not make Top 12. Not the judges' rule, but the pageant's rule. The judges absolutely loved my platform!

Interview suit.

All of us on GNO!

Swim shoot. I'm back row center.

The following are some of the appearances I made while I reigned.

At Sertoma with Derrick Mason.

The Boys and Girls Club Gala.

Special Olympics with Brian Hicks.

Homecoming Parade.

At DIS speaking to the 4th-6th grade boys and girls.

My Dunk the Queen Booth at Magnolia Festival.

Somewhere in there I cut off 10 inches of my hair and donated it to Locks of Love. Because I did it, it inspired my 11 year old to do it, too. So cool of her!!

I hope you have been able to see how very much I enjoyed being Mrs. Oklahoma despite how much I fought accepting the thought of it in the beginning. I wouldn't have traded this experience for the world! Thanks to all those close to me who helped make this journey sweeter with your contributions of time, money, talent and prayers. You all helped shape and mold me into the new person I am now.

Thank you!

Dr. Shuler this way...

My family and I have been on a new adventure recently (hence the blogging hiatus. Sorry!) We have bought an old historic building in downtown Durant and are restoring it. Throughout the process of demolition we have unearthed a few treasures. Today, while peeling off some old bead board we discovered this:

So, I set out to find out just who doctor Shuler was. Here's what I found!

DR. JAMES LAFAYETTE SHULER

1860-1939

Dr. James Lafayette Shuler, born at Adairsville, Georgia on January 28, 1860, was the son of John Shuler and his wife, Matilda Hill. His maternal grandfather was Ladson Frazier Hickman, and maternal grandmother was Rebecca Josephine Ross.

In the 1880's, with his father and mother he came from near Cartersville, Georgia and settled on a farm near Hackett City, Arkansas, and he received his primary education at the local schools in the community in

which he lived in Georgia and in Arkansas. His medical education was received in the Medical Department of the Arkansas Industrial University (Little Rock), now the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, in 1887 graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was licensed to practice medicine in Oklahoma under the Act of 1908. Prior to that time he had been licensed under the laws in force in the Choctaw Nation. He was a member of his local and state medical societies and a Fellow of the American Medical Association, secretary and past President of the Bryan County, Oklahoma Medical Society, and Medical Director of the Bryan County Hospital.

After his graduation he practiced medicine in the Choctaw Nation at Pocola and removed to Cameron in 1895 where he engaged in the practice of medicine until 1901, when he removed to Durant and continued in the practice of medicine until his death on August 24, 1939 at Hobbs, N. M., where he was on a visit to his son.

Funeral services were held on August 26, 1939 from the First Methodist Church of Durant, Oklahoma, Rev. W. L. Broome and Rev. W. L. Blackburn officiating, interment being in Highland Cemetery at Durant.

He was married on January 11, 1896 at Pocola in the Choctaw Nation to Lucy A. Hickman, who together with their son, Dr. Ashley Cooper Shuler, who resides at Hobbs, N. M., survive him.

Dr. Shuler was an active and leading member of organized medicine in Oklahoma. After his location in Durant in 1901 he served as President of the State and County Societies, and at the time of his death was Secretary of the County Society. For many years he was Councilor of the State Medical Association and served as President in 1912. He had devoted his time and talent liberally in the support of his profession. He was a member of the Masonic Order, holding membership in the Blue Lodge, Knight's Templar, Scottish Rite, and Shrine, and had from his youth been an active and consistent member of the Methodist Church and a supporter of the Democratic Party, and of local civic enterprises.

A devoted husband and father and a good citizen has passed away.

R. L. Williams

I just have to say...
HOW COOL IS THAT??

Monster Munchies...

7 years ago today I received my 4th little blessing from Heavenly Father. Reality is just setting in that my BABY is 7. years. old.  *sniffle*
So, to celebrate my little monster man's big day, I made these little monster cupcakes for his class!

Num-num-num-num-num!

History Whispers From the Past in the Written Word

The last few weeks I have been searching diligently for something that I have misplaced. While endeavoring to find my lost item I stumbled across this little green journal. It's a Christian Log Book that belonged to a man by the name of George E. Luscomb from Weston, Tx. He served in the 329th Bomb Squadron in 1944 and used this book as his journal while on active duty during WWII.

I bought this little treasure at a garage sale several years ago. Inside he has listed several family member's birthdays.
"Papa - Aug. 2, 1884
Mother - July 2, 1885
Johnny - Feb 8, 1918
Glendora - Aug. 18, 1927
Doris - October 26, 1922
Ode (Olin) - Jan. 21, 1912
Sis - Apr. 25, 1913" and etc...

I have loved skimming through this book and reading what Private Luscomb has to say. I have felt like a voyer in this young man's life. I listen to him tell about his mission trips to places like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munster, Germany. Then, there are other missions to places like Watten and Bergerac France. I am mesmorized when I read about his nights out dancing with the pretty girls (which are seldom). I smile with him when I read that he slept in till 10:35 one morning. My mouth waters when I read the passage where he ate roast beef for lunch, I sing Hallelujah with him on Sundays when he writes about how uplifting the service was and I rejoice with him when he receives a letter from home. There's even an entry where he speaks of a General Hodges (my maiden name) coming to visit his battalion on June 30th. Private Luscomb speaks several times of quiet nights listening to the radio and of rumors that seem to surface amongst the men regularly, although I haven't discovered what they are concerning yet.

The entry for D-Day, June 6, 1944, is especially unique; pictured below.

As a handwriting analyst, I also took advantage of using my skills to find a deeper glance into the personality of this man, whom I already felt quite acquainted with. I watched as his handwriting went from an average-sized copy book style legible cursive in Jan. of 1944 to an over-sized, rushed and choppy cursive by August of the same year, then converging into a mixture of the two diverse styles by November. I could only imagine how the war had affected him beyond what I could see as a Graphologist.

I was quite excited to find this journal again and decided to take a break from my search and rescue operation for my missing item to read for a little while. I sat down and opened it up to the day's date (Oct. 6th). Here's what it said:

"T/Sgt. Price 330th BS killed by a direct hit by flak - Blood all over everything. The horrors of war!"

Of all the flipping pages I have done with this book, I had never read this passage. Instinctively, I slammed the book shut, as if I'd witnessed a horrifying murder or seen something shockingly inappropriate. I shoved the book back in its hiding spot on the shelf and stood to walk away, content to never open it again.
I was still trying to shake the chills off my spine.

But - no matter what I did, I couldn't shake the impact of that passage all day. I envisioned this young 27 year old's face twisted in a mess of anger, confusion and sorrow while he wrote, grieving for his comrad.
So, I decided that it would be un-American to walk away from that; completely sheltering and selfish to deny myself this opportunity to glimpse into the life of a soldier at war. Not just a soldier, but one caught up in the middle of the ruckus, experiencing so much day after day and somehow finding the courage and energy to write it down for me to read. I am grateful for this young man, Private Luscomb, for his sacrifice, for his diligence in keeping history alive for anyone willing to read it in his written word.

Pity Party Drunkard

Hey ev'rbody...

Thankths fer comin'.
[smacks tongue in between lips twice and hiccups softly].
Oops, 'scuse me.
Uhh, not suurre wh, whhyyy no more peoples sthowed up to thisss little sshhindig?
I figured LOTS of pity-goers would be lined up for thisss Par-TAAYY.

Oh, lookie! Selfishness came! [jumping up and down but stops abruptly and covers her mouth]. I just *hiccup* luff herrr. She's jus' so, sooo...centered, you know? Oo! Hey, Ignorance! [begins to whisper] I luff her, too but not all the lighbulbs came with the chandelier, if ya know what I meeaan. Ssshhhh [roughly puts a finger to her lips, distorting them]...that'sth our little secreT. Let's seeee, I saw Common Sense, but she left already. It's ok, she's like NO fun anyway. I hope Depression comes,though...now that one, she reeeally knows how to get doowwnnnn!

Hmmm, weird [wrinkles nose and forehead].......didn't anybody else get the invites? *hiccup* I sent them out, like, like, uhhhhhhhhh, [counts on fingers], a monf ago. I spefisically, specifislee, spec-i-fi-cally said I didn't want anybo'y to bother me! Which means I really DO want people to bother me!! [sniffles]. But not like bother, bother me...jus' show up...and *hiccup* pity *hiccup* wiff me!
You'd fink they'd know that by NOW. [pouts excessively and wipes nose all the way across sleeve].
But nobody sthowed up to my last party, *hiccup*, no body showeded up to that one either.
Hmrph! I may jus' have to find some, some new frans. [stamps her foot and twirls clumsily to leave but runs into a brick wall and knocks herself out cold].   

*Due to the damage caused to my ego combined with complete waste of time and cycle of self-loathing that stalls any form of personal progress or intelligent decisions to be made, I regret to inform you that there will be no more Pity Parties being hosted at my house.

Kick It, Hit It, Tag It!

As I mentioned in the earlier posts, we are busy and Saturdays are filled with games our kids participate in.
Daphne was in softbal before tennis started. Here some shots of her on the field.
She's in the back ready for a fly ball.

And here's the pitch...


Abby just got into soccer and absolutely loves it. I knew she would when she asked to play. The game just seems to fit her personality.

And then there's my Gare-Bear. My football playing, flag stealin' little man. This is going to be a fun season!

The Busy Bee Lifestyle

Since school has started our schedule has been kicked into turbo mode in the most insane sense of the phrase. Instead of giving you a play by play of why I haven't blogged in like, forever, let me just give you my weekly schedule. It will all make sense then:

Mondays:
5:30 am: My alarm goes off and I fight off the urge to smash it to smithereens.
6 am: Eat breakfast. I actually have to scarf it down because I hit the snooze one too may times this morning and am about to have a houseful of groggy teenagers infiltrate my quiet time.
6:15-7 am: Teach Seminary for the youth of our church in my home. (Despite the oftentimes tormenting earliness, I absolutely LOVE this calling!)
7-7:30 am: Help my own groggy kids get ready for school. Assemble sack lunches if needed. Feed them breakfast and whisk them and a hurried hubby out the door.
(Ok, so far, every week day my schedule is the same as above. So, I won't repeat it for redundancy's sake).
During the day, as all of you SAHMs know, my hours are filled with mundane tasks and chores such as laundry, dishes, sweeping, checking emails and returning phone calls, preparing the next day's seminary lesson, I have to pre-prepare dinner so I can actually get it on the table on time, etc., which all take up 7.5 of the 8 hours I have left to myself. And somewhere in there I must feed my griping belly.
2:50-3:20 pm: pick up children from schools.
3:30-5:30 pm: my oldest daughter, Daphne, has tennis practice.
6-7 pm: Garrett has a football game.
7-8:30 pm: we feed the missionaries from our church dinner and have Family Home Evening.
8:30-9 pm: bath time and wrangling kids to bed.
(and somewhere in each of these days we manage to get  homework knocked out and piano practiced. Don't ask me where, it's all a blur).

Tuesdays:
2:50-3:20: Pick kids up from schools.
3:30-5:30: Daphne has tennis practice.
5:30-6:30: Abby has soccer practice.
5:30-6:00: Garrett has guitar lessons.
6-7pm: dinner
7-9pm: bath and wrangling time.

Wednesdays:
2:50-3:20: Pick kids up from schools.
4:30-5:15: piano lessons (30 minutes away)
6-8pm: Young Women's and Activity Days at church
8:20-9 pm: bath and bed time.

Thursdays:
2:50-3:20: Pick kids up from schools.
3:30-5:30: Daphne has tennis
3:45-4:30: Abby has acting class at the college.
4:30-5:30: run quick errands for the kids.
5:30-6:30: Garrett has football practice at one end of town.
5:30-6:30: Abby has soccer practice at the other end of town.
6:45-7:30: dinner
(as you can see, I am in my car for nearly 4 solid hours on Thursdays! I wish I could mount a shower head in it somewhere. It would take a step out of my evening chores so I could go to bed sooner!)
7:30-9pm: bath and bed time.

Fridays are the only days where, besides school, we have nothing scheduled. These are blissful days.
Saturdays are filled with soccer and football games.
Sunday is the Sabbath and we save our energy for giving thanks to the Lord for our talents and abilities  and for the means to cultivate these things in ourselves and our children. We are truly blessed.

Say My Name

Found this fun little game online. Thought I'd share.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & first car)
Cat Cadillac

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Sweet Cream Oatmeal Raisin (However fitting the name is for me, I think I'd be shot).

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two letters of your last name),
C. Ma (Huh?)


4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Pink Otter (I don't foresee lots of future jobs. My other choice was Dolphin - I'm screwed either way).


5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Anne Denison (That sounds like the perfect villainous lady's name. One with lots of skeletons in the closet and harboring a grudge for the male species).


6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),
Masca (I'll be featured in the next movie after the producers get wind of this!)


7. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The" + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Black Colada (ooo, I like. Now all I need is the cape and black stretchy pants.)


8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Ernest Guy (lol!)


9. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ),
Sue Ferrell (That just might work!)


10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Kidd Kingman


11. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Summer Rose (Too cheesy!)


12. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you're wearing right now + "ie" or "y")
Mango Fitchie


13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Banana Fir (eewww..)


14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: ("The" + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + "Tour"),
The Art Tornado Tour (Not bad! Coming to a city near you!!)

Freaky Friday Follies

It's 8 am and the house is quiet. I've just sent all 4 of my children off to school.
The house talks to me through its creaking doors and whispering curtains, taunting me in melodicly eerie silence.
"You do know what day it is, don't you, Carissa?"
"Well, I hadn't thought about it."
"It's Friday the 13th. It's 107* outside. And you remember what happened last Friday the 13th, don't you?"
Memories of nearly crashing 3 freakish times on my way to get some shopping done in Sherman flood my brain.
"How could I forget?"
"Just go back to bed." This time it's the bed speaking to me. "Forget your workout, you can do that tomorrow. Forget your Walmart trip, it can wait. Just go slip back into my warm arms and cover your pretty little head with the sheets and spend today here in Slumberland instead of there in boring old Raw Reality-ville."
I was almost lulled into the trance the bed was intertwining around my mind, much like how Kaa tried to entrance Mowgli.
But luckily, I have a stubborness unmatched by even the most persistent mule. My own inner Bagheera.
"No! I must go. I have errands that need running and weights that need lifting."
So, running and lifting I went.
The lifting went without a hitch. However, upon leaving the gym, my Jeep decided to be naughty and not let me know that I was backing into a truck parked at an odd angle behind me. My Jeep has rear sensors with an alarm that alerts me when I am within 2 feet of something.
What I would normally hear, (on any other day but Friday the 13th), is a mousey "Beeeeeeeep!", and it continues until I move away from the unsuspecting person, animal or inanimate object.
Instead, what I heard was "Thud!" followed by the light "poof" sound of my head hitting the headrest, then "beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep!"
Thanks for nothing. There was only one vehicle in that parking lot that was parked in the only angle that the senors on my Jeep couldn't detect, and lo and behold, if I don't find it!
*Sigh*
I still have my errand.
Wal-Mart.
All I need is 2 ink cartridges for my computer and some paper. I run in and grab those items plus a few more that I remembered I needed upon seeing and grabbed those, too. When I checked out, the cashier looked at me and said flatly, "$99.76."
I was hungry after my workout and was anxious to get home and ravenously raid my fridge. So, despite the fact that the price sounded a bit steep, I bolted out of the store wanting to get home before any other freakish accidents occurred.
I pulled up into my driveway, and a nagging voice told me to check the receipt. For the record, I was going to anyway. I pulled it out and what do I find? I've been charged for three, not two, $27 ink cartridges.
Oh, nuh-uh.
I have to return them right then and there or they'll likely not refund my money, claiming I've already used one. And who doesn't notice a $27 overcharge on their bill?
Me, on Friday the 13th.
So, all the way back to Wal-Mart I go and get my refund.
I pull up to the house the second time. I think about walking inside, but am not in the mood to hear the I-told-you-so's chanting from my bedroom.
But, alas, it's Friday the 13th and I have to gear up for school traffic in a couple hours - a nightmare of epic porportions in and of itself.
So, I made up with the bed for not listening to it in the first place and accepted the round trip ticket to Slumberland.
However, I only staved off the day for a few hours. There are still 7 1/2 more to survive....

Pausing for a fun quiz...

You Are Most at Home in the Kitchen

You Are Most at Home in the Kitchen You're the type of person who finds a lot of comfort in your home. You love to take care of yourself and others. Your home is welcoming and open to all. You love entertaining guests and making them feel a part of the family. There's nothing like spending an afternoon in the kitchen, whipping up treats for you and your loved ones. You believe that the simple things in life can be the most enjoyable. You like give your time and love to people.

Wordless Wednesday: "Youz had milk, but I dranked-ed it all gone."

"Well, there goes $600 out the window!"

Or door in our case.
Our beloved bird, a Jenday Conure named Steve, escaped from our house tonight.
We are devastated.
My little Julia came to me in streaming tears and hiccuped breaths screaming that Steve had flown out the door when the girls opened it to let a friend in.
Daphne, Abby and Garrett had grabbed flashlights, since it had just gotten dark outside, and were diligently searching trees and bushes.
I have real doubts that we will ever find him again. He does have a tracking bracelet and I will be calling the the proper facility to report him missing in the morning...but for now:
To any of you in the Durant, OK area, this is what Steve looks like. (I know 4 children who would be willing to give up a year's worth of dessert to have him back). 

Happy Birthday, America!

For the 4th we celebrated with some good friends of ours, The Ellsworths, on their beautiful property and had the best time EVER!! We played Fort with army men and shot Black cats at the other person's men. (It ended up just being a Mame-a-Thon for the poor army men. lol!

"Retreat! We're no match for their heavy artillery!"

What's a summer time soiree without a trampoline?

At the pond on the paddle boat.

A friendly little game of tug-o-war.

And now, for some barrel racing!

"Pal, you be the barrel and I'll race you!"

"Ok, just steer clear of potholes."

And they're off!

Junior and Dylan round the corner and head back for home.

"Pal, I think it would work better if you held my legs up a little higher."

"Oh. Well, I think it would work better if I were taller or you were shorter. Just sayin'."

Black cat explodes under water. That was cool to watch, even though my picture doesn't do it justice. A large portion of the pond would light up in all shades of yellow, blue and green. It was cool.

Roman Candles across the pond. Looks mystical.

My son lighting fireworks with an older buddy.

And the fireworks for the night were amazing!! Here are a few of my shots from the evenings festivities. Enjoy!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!