A picnic and some fireworks

Every year Alexandria, VA waits to do it's Independence Day celebrating until the weekend after so they can join the 4th with their anniversary celebrations. There is a parade, concerts, and, my favorite, fireworks. Last year Doug and I went with his mom and dad.
http://heatheranddougnunley.blogspot.com/2013/07/fireworks.html
We had such a great time I made Doug promise we would go back each year. So keeping his word, he took the entire weekend off to make sure we had a great weekend.

The fireworks are set off from a barge in the Potomac River, just off the shore of Alexandria. The best view and the entertainment is set up at Oronoco Bay Park. The city encourages you to get there early, bring picnic gear, and spend the day. Last year we shopped and ate at a restaurant right on the water. When we got to the park and saw all the picnics, I had to do it. So this year we packed up the picnic basket (aka 31 bags) and headed down to the park.

It was a little warm (about low 80's) but a nice cool breeze kept most of us from getting sweaty. Poor Doug is so hot natured he gets hot when it's in the 60's. Me, on the other hand, well... I am typing this blog with a fleece blanket wrapped around me. Anyways, we brought a blanket to spread out on, some folding chairs to sit in, yummy sandwiches with all the fixings, and a cooler of beer (Merica!). We had a blast people watching, eating, listening to live music, and enjoying the evening.

One of my favorite things is that it is not packed. There are a lot of people in a small park but it was nothing like Annapolis was last weekend. You have your own space to enjoy the show. 

As the sun set the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra took the stage and played a fun medley of tunes. There was Star Wars, Harry Potter (amazing by the way!), Frozen, and then some more patriotic tunes. I think my favorite part of the fireworks is the orchestra playing along to them. Fireworks over the water with an orchestra playing under the harvest moon on a cool July evening, can't get more of a magical evening than that.

The barge the fireworks were shot from.

Kinda blurry but that is the moon in between the trees. 

As usual the fireworks started off with a bang from the cannons. Loud, but cool. The fireworks are the best because you are so close to them. No matter where you sit, you have the best seat in the house. I kept telling our friends these were some of the best in the area and the city did not disappoint. I am already planning our trip next year. If you are ever in the area the weekend after the 4th, make sure you head over to the park. I promise you will be happy you did!

July 4th

We started off the day by doing what three quarters of Americans do on Independence Day, grilled hot dogs. Nothing fancy. just a quick lunch before we got ready and headed to the main event. It was a beautiful day so we tried to be outside as much as possible. You don't get too many cool 4th of July's south of the Mason Dixon (yes, we are still in the South). Auburn loves going out with us when we grill. She is more interested in the food we are grilling or what we are doing to really run around and play. But I am working on getting her to play fetch outside the house. Crazy puppy!

That evening we went to Annapolis to eat dinner and see the fireworks. We ate dinner at a small restaurant right next to the water and then walked over to City Park (right on the water in downtown) for the fireworks. The place was PACKED! Luckily they closed down most of the roads so people where able to walk in the streets. The fireworks were shot from a barge out in the water so they were a little far off but we staked out a pretty good spot to see them from. Didn't have anyone in front of us to block the view but the masts of several boats rocking in the harbor became a little annoying.

After the fireworks we went to the bars downtown to let the traffic clear out (at least that was the excuse we used). :) No worries, we had a DD and were all home in bed by midnight.

It was a great day and something we could check off our to-do list. Next year, maybe we will get really brave and go to DC's celebration. Maybe...

Birthday weekend!

Friday night we started off the birthday weekend with a trip Ale House. I love going to new restaurants and this one did not disappoint. Had a great time celebrating with friends. Thanks to all that were able to make it.

I don't normally take pictures of my food but it was so pretty and the picture came out so clear. 

Our friend, Shannon (the one in pink in the picture above), made me the cutest birthday card ever! I have never seen anyone put so much thought and effort into a card to make it so special. I will treasure this one forever!

On Sunday we grilled out. It has become routine that when we grill Auburn gets to come down and have a little "off the leash" time. I try to get her to run around and play but she is usually more interested in the food on the grill or the humans standing around it. Since she just got her hair done, Doug and I scooped her up for a few pictures.

Look at that tongue! Ha!

Finally, the official birthday was here. Unfortunately, it was a long day at work so that didn't leave much time for celebrating. Doug went and got me my favorite Chick-Fil-A salad for dinner and had it waiting on me when I got home a little past 8. Ryan and Doug's mom came over to say happy birthday and eat some of the DQ ice cream cake Doug had stashed in the freezer. They were very excited when I was done eating my dinner. Ha!

For my birthday present, most was the trip to the beach a couple of weekends ago. But Doug insisted I had something to open so he thought really hard and came up with a really good gift. 

He got me Nike Orioles running shorts with a matching Orioles T'shirt that has my favorite player's (aka my boyfran) name on it!

It was a great "29th" birthday and with the 4th days away I plan on continuing the celebrating through the weekend. Thanks to everyone who messaged, texted, or called to wish me a happy birthday. It's people like you that made it special! Love ya!