4th of July/Jordan's Birthday

Friday, July 4

We celebrated Jordan's 18th birthday with a BBQ, yummy cake, opening presents and fireworks. We started out the day at my family's house and then went over to Grape Day Park in the late afternoon for the festivities. We had a picnic and listened to the performers. Most of them were ok, but the best one was the Marine Band San Diego. I went to the other side of the park and watched the YMCA baton twirlers for a few minutes. They were pretty good. Most of the day was spent relaxing and reading a book. After the Marine Band played for about an hour, we watched fireworks. The sound guy and the fireworks people weren't quite coordinated. Sometimes there would be about a 30-second lull between songs or between fireworks. I got a video of the sky (and the background music) that lasted for 30 seconds without a single firework. But the finale was nice. Afterwards, we came back to my family's house and went swimming. It felt great.

Look how happy he is to receive a Padres bedspread from Mom
(I guess I just caught his expression at a bad time)

And he's even more thrilled to receive our gift to him: A floating baseball!

A book from Grandma and Grandpa Button...

And a Lakers toothbrush (they also renewed his subscription to ESPN magazine)

His friend Nick gave him a Kouzmanoff jersey

Dad played "Happy Birthday"

And then we ate cake (probably one of the most delicious I've ever had)

This doesn't have much to do with the blog, but I thought it was funny.
Grandpa and Jared sharing a blanket

And here we are at Grape Day Park
(Grandpa Gray joined us, too. He's sitting on the far left in the white T-shirt)

There were TONS of people there

Marine Band San Diego

And, of course, the fireworks

The fireworks finale