Day 160: Happy 4th of July

The Lovejoy-Fordham Alliance celebrated America's independence day in a very traditional style: by attending a baseball game and by seeing some fireworks (I did a poor job of trying to capture both of these activities in the photo above). We joined my parents to watch our hometown team, the High Desert Mavericks, take on the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and, I'm happy to report, our Mavericks were successful. The players even hit several home runs, which made for an exciting game. But it was also a very long game, starting at 7 PM and going until after 10 PM. Tom, LB, and I finally headed home at about 10:15 because Baby needed to go to bed, and we had a 45-minute drive ahead of us. Consequently, we missed the big fireworks show at the end of the game. Boo hoo!

But overall, I had a very good 4th of July. And, to summarize one of my Facebook friends, while America has plenty to improve on and plenty to be remorseful for, it also has a few things to proud of (I'm sure most people would probably say the same about their own countries). But a couple of my favorite American things are that oft-repeated promise and, I would say, yet-to-be-fulfilled hope from the Pledge of Allegiance: "liberty and justice for all." And the First Amendment.

At any rate, here are a few photos from the evening. Veterans carrying the flag.
Lilybeth meeting the Maverick's mascot, Wooly Bully (whom I'm sure is a long-lost cousin of our own Wooly Cat).
While she wouldn't let him hold her, she really wanted to put her fingers in his mouth.
Grandma and LB looking very patriotic. Actually, (and perhaps, ironically?) LB's dress was a present from her Auntie Ange and Uncle Loopy in Oz. They sent it before she was born, and I had actually been saving it for this very occasion. I must say, she looked very adorable.

LB watching the players warm-up.
And watching the game with Grandma and Grandpa.
And, before the game started, we all met up with Uncle Daniel for dinner. LB actually let him hold her. Here's the proof: