Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy 233rd America!

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays and in my opinion best celebrated with the masses. I love the food, the fireworks, the feeling, the festivities, everything and have been disappointed the last few years not to be able to share all of that with our children. Summer in the foreign service is transfer season so it is rare that US embassies will celebrate the 4th of July, claiming, erroneously, that most families are on vacation or have left the country for good. Sure there is the formal diplomatic reception, but unfortunately families are not invited to this event.

A former US ambassador to Venezuela decided a few years ago that as long as Hugo Chavez was anti-America anyway, the embassy should pull out all the stops and celebrate Independence Day American style. In particular, he wanted a fireworks display that was visible all over Caracas, especially from the President's official residence. Luckily for us, his decision started a tradition of a 4th of July extravaganza just like those back home. We had our very own county fair on the embassy grounds complete with all-we-could-eat food and drink, live entertainment, characters in costume, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, red, white and blue bunting and festoons and culminating in a fireworks display as grand as any we have ever seen.

the embassy all dressed up for the occasion

Isaac getting close enough to touch without actually making contact

playing with the giant pinwheels

waiting for the fireworks to start

finally the wait was over

BOOM!

our lone patriotic decoration (Isaac's hands and Caleb's feet)
we got the idea here

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

16 comments:

Tristan said...

The boy's hands and feet flag is adorable!! What a great idea!!

Jana and BJ said...

I am so glad you get the celebrate the 4th the traditional way! I love the patriotism that is everywhere on this holiday! And I love the flag your boys made!

Christie said...

I love the idea of sticking it to an idiot dictator that way. Happy 4th, my international friend!

Brown Sugar said...

I still hold in high regard the 4th I spent at Camden Yard in Baltimore eating crab cakes for free thanks to you!

Lauren in GA said...

I love that flag made of the boys' hands and feet!!

I agree with Christie...I am so glad that ambassador decided several years ago that it was high time for the embassy to celebrate and that you all got to have such a great time.

Thanks so much for the sweet comments you left on my latest post. You are so sweet ☺

Grayson Family said...

It almost makes me wish I was with you in Venezuela. Almost......

Ilene said...

Who knew Venezuela was the place to go to celebrate the 4th?!

I'm glad you got a little taste of home whilst you are away!

Kimberly said...

Take that, Hugo! Happy 4th. The celebration sounds awesome. And LOVE the flag. How cute.

Maren said...

I love that hands and feet flag! Glad you had a splendid 4th, even in Venezuela!

Lane said...

I can not get over how cute Issac is. He looks just like you!! Happy Fourth of July Guys - love you xoxoxo
~ Uncle Lane

Jacqueline Auna and family said...

Wow - what a great party! Happy Fourth of July! Your boys are so grown-up, long & lean. Very handsome and now I can really see how Issac does resemble Linsey! I really love the footprint flag.

Hazen5 said...

Your flag is truly "American". I am glad you got a true 4th celebration!

Adrianne said...

Sounds like my kind of ambassador. I miss the 4th.

Becky said...

Hi Linsey!! So glad you found our blog so I could find yours. Your family is so adorable and it looks like you are having some incredible adventures in South America! Awesome. I'm also so sorry to see the post about your recent loss. All the best!

Jenibelle said...

Did they play Stars and Stripes forever REALLY loud? Awesome to rub America's best in the nose of a dictator!


(PS. Thanks for your warm thoughts regarding Lauren, it meant the world to me and I shared them with her. You are a gracious lady, the world needs more women like you.)

lis said...

AWESOME!!!! Great post!!! :)

 

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