Happy Independence Day!

I love the 4th of July. It is by far my most favorite holiday. You are the in the heat of summer, there is excitement in the air, fireworks are being set off, and you spend a lot of family time at barbeques eating food. Lots and lots of food. Maybe all of the food is the reason why it is my favorite holiday. Although I usually spend every 4th of July looking for as many veterans and active duty soldiers as I can and cry as I thank them. Two years ago I spent the summer in Washington DC and came across some WWII vets that were checking out the monuments made for them. I finally managed to corner one and started bawling as I told him how grateful I was for his service. I was crying so much that he assumed I had lost someone in the military and sent his condolences. I had to correct and let him know that everyone I knew in the military was healthy and well. That was when he gave me a strange look and told me to have a nice day as he walked away. I am such a baby when it comes to the military. Maybe it has to do with having a father as a retired military officer who proudly served this country for 23 years or two amazing brothers-in-law who are still in the service. Either way, I love the 4th of July. So yesterday being the 4th of July I wanted to have some kind of celebration. Judd was taking a half day but would still be at work until 4pm so I went on a search for some 4th of July festivities on my own. It turns out that Pleasanton does a really cool America presentation in one of their parks on the 4th of July. I showed up with Nixon and found people in lawn chairs and blankets listening to speakers pretending to be different characters from history. There was also a brass band that played patriotic songs in the background as they spoke. It was my kind of celebration. A cute old man handed me a program and a mini flag and I went to find a good place to sit myself and my puppy. That is when I realized two things: 1. Californians love dogs. 2. Nixon is a totally ham. You can’t really blame him. I mean, with a face like his who couldn’t love him? I also had tied a red bandana around his neck for the occasion so he looked especially cute. But seriously though. I couldn’t walk 10 feet without someone saying, “Oh! What a cute puppy!” Nixon was eating it up. He would let them walk up to him and stretch out his neck so that they would give him a good scratch under there. He would be so gently with the kids and lick their hands without trying to chew on them. The kids would squeal and giggle and the parents would just smile. This one mom went and grabbed her three other kids that were sitting on lawn chairs to come see the puppy. He was a hit to say the least. There was an ice cream stand and after ordering a cone, I asked the guy if I could get a water cup. He told me it was going to be 50 cents but when he saw Nixon he said he would give it to me for free. I was still in a little bit of shock after seeing how much Nixon loved the spotlight. And of course as soon as we got home he completely ignored me and fell asleep. What a silly goose.

He was passed out until Judd got home and we began getting ready for our 4th of July barbeque. I had a little surprise for Judd. Lizzie and I had bought matching 4th of July shirts the four of us. We were so excited and had spent the day before running around California looking for shirts on such short notice. I was just glad that she was just as excited as I was to match and didn’t think I was a freak in the store when I begged her to let us match. But when I showed Judd the shirt the first thing out of his mouth was, “No.” Here is the thing with Judd that I have noticed. He hates matching anyone. Even getting remotely close to matching someone. I first noticed it when we were dating and we each had a coat that was army green. We both ended up wearing it one night while we were on a date and he took it off and spent the rest of the night coat-less and freezing. I have never seen him wear that coat since. I was worried that the matching shirts were going to be a problem but after some convincing and some threatened tears he agreed to wear it. We all went to the park, wore matching shirts, took family pictures, and had a great time. It went really well and it was a great way to spend the 4th of July.