Independence Weekend

Independence Day is an amazing holiday in Boston. What better place to celebrate than where much of the Revolution took place? Friday night, there is a dress rehearsal of the traditional Boston Pops concert. This year the special guest was Neil Diamond. He is an old favorite of mine since he sang the song "Heartlight" on the movie E.T. As a sidenote... when we were little, we would put our finger over the little red indicator light on the stove, to make our finger glow, then say "E.T. phone home." Random memory there for you.Neil Diamond has a special place in the heart of Bostonians. His song, "Sweet Caroline," is sung at the end of the eighth inning at every Red Sox game in Fenway Park. After the line "Sweet Caroline," everyone shouts, "bom, bom, bom," and after "Good times never felt so good," everyone shouts, "so good, so good, so good!" I loved sitting in front of the Hatch Shell singing/shouting along with all the other Bostonians. Really, so good!

On Saturday, Katie took us to a little dive in the North End for lunch. It had the most delicious food. Her school is in the North End, so she knows all the best places. We followed up with dessert from Modern Pastries. Doesn't this berry tart on a chocolate shell look delicious?

Katie's friend, Marlene, was visiting from D.C., so we took her to see the Public Gardens, then our friend Dave took us to his office at the top of the Hancock building for the amazing view. It is incredible to see the city from above.

We met up with these amazing girls on the Esplanade to watch the fireworks.

Jenny Faith, Esther, Kristy, LeahMarlene, C, Stephanie

Love the glow bracelets!

Gotta love Neil. Another dose of coming to America... Today!The amazing thing about watching the fireworks on the Esplanade was the echo off the city behind us. It was like booms in surround sound. My favorite fireworks this year were these little gold pieces that just floated down after the explosion, instead of just fizzling out.No Fourth of July is complete without a barbeque, so on Sunday we had a little Family Dinner. Katie was amazing on the grill, cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegetable kabobs. We had a great turn out. Good times!

Happy birthday U.S.A.!