Fourth of July

 It was a wonderfully mellow Fourth of July.  I came home from work with the Backyard BBQ action in full swing.  Corn Hole was set up, Margaritas were being blended and the hammock was fully occupied:

 

 

{Bryan and Drew on the hammock}

 

 

{Gabby and Jessica playing Corn Hole}

 

 

 

{backyard Corn Hole action}

 

We all traipsed up the stairs to catch a seriously gorgeous Fourth of July sunset from our lanai. 

 

 

{a little alpine glow off the back of the West Maui Mountains} 

 

 

{a tiny sliver of moon above the sunset} 

 

 

{and as you can imagine, these photos don't really do it justice}

 

After dark, the fireworks began promptly at 8 pm.  We had prime viewing on our lanai, and we got to watch fireworks explode and pop over the ocean.

 

Will and Jessica led us through a rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."  Some of our neighbors clapped when we finished singing, I swear!

 

After the fireworks, we got to grilling.  Will and Jessica made sliders with cheese, bacon and a spicy pineapple ketchup; Bryan and Drew made sausages; and I grilled up some salmon.

 

My friend Amy and her boyfriend swung by later in the evening with a box of sparklers, and we lit up our backyard.

 

It really was a perfect low key Fourth of July BBQ.  I was in bed by 11:30 last night and couldn't have been happier.