Week 263: Big Boom Bash

I had every intention of posting pictures yesterday, but then I got caught up in another flurry of unpacking and organizing and when I was all done with that, Jason and I had to go out for dinner and movie. And consequently I now have a small crush on Ryan Reynold's character from "The Proposal." Quite an entertaining movie. But of course I've loved Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds for years and years.

But back before the movie, the dinner, and the organizing, there was a party.

And we here at the Family Farm seem to enjoy having parties.

Tyler and Sarah hosted their 2nd annual Fourth of July party, and while people would have naturally come anyway on account of all the fun and food, this year there wasn't even any competition from Ft. Vancouver's massive fireworks show since it was canceled this year. 

There was a ridiculous amount of good food, although for some reason I mostly just ate dessert. I tried to eat a hamburger, but the carmel corn was calling my name.

And the strawberry-rhubarb pie. And the yellow cake with chocolate frosting. And even the shiny top blueberry cobbler that I brought (which you can see pictured above in all its blueberry goodness). I was a bit disappointed that I evidently didn't cook the cobbler long enough, but it's pretty hard to go wrong with blueberries and three cups of sugar.

The girls managed to get in a few bites of this and that but were all in all having too much fun with the trampoline, the bounce house, the wading pool, and golf cart rides. Really. How can food compare to that?

But once it got dark, and the mosquitoes started nibbling at my legs, then we all settled down to watch some fireworks. I had decided earlier in the day that I would attempt to photograph the fireworks. I pulled out my mini-tripod, checked out some instructions from Ree the Pioneer Woman, and set my camera on the appropriate settings.

Earmuffs were optional. Glow sticks, however, were not. (Jules managed to bite not one, but TWO glow sticks and consequently ended up with glowing teeth and lips. TWICE. That child...*sigh*.)

I really have no business trying to photograph fireworks with my point and shoot camera. And yet. That didn't seem to stop me from trying.

I love those sparkles! I don't think I photographed this "correctly" but those sparkles make me happy. Like little fireworks fairies, yes?

I had a little bit of trouble getting my lens pointed in the right direction at the right time. Not helping matters was that I couldn't see a thing out of my viewfinder because, um, it was dark. And also, the camera was panicked about the lens having to stay open for several seconds to capture the photograph, so it was kinda freaking out.

Pipe down, camera. That's what I had to say. And then I had to go eat some more cake just for kicks.

Of course, I managed to not capture the really best parts of the fireworks, but hey! I had fun. Maybe I'll try it again when we're at Disney World next month (they have a terrific fireworks show). But first I have to figure out what exactly is the point of photographing fireworks to begin with...

Maybe I'll just eat some tasty Mickey Mouse dessert and call it good. I totally know what the point of that is.

Comments

[sis]

Actually, I think those are really cool firework picts. Me & my friends were just talking about how funny it is to try to capture something like fireworks in a picture, but that first one of the series, where the sky is still kinda blue and you can see the outline of the trees...I love it. Captures a 4th of July in the Pac NW wonderfully. Good work! : )

[Rachel]

I was in your area this weekend. We celebrated Independence Day with Jason's parents and had a great time, but you weren't kidding about the mosquitoes. Bug was about eaten alive! Poor kid has a knot on his leg from a cluster of the blood-suckers. It makes me feel bad for him, but somehow I can't help but feel it's part of the deal of summer. It sounds like your own bugs had a wonderful time though.

[Laura]

I'm impressed, both by how well your pics turned out and by that array of desserts! Love the one of Jules and the watermelon.

[Jess]

Wow, the fireworks pics turned out really well! I'm impressed. And now I want some watermelon.

[Tamara]

Your family definitely knows how to throw a party! Great fireworks!

[Margaret]

You take great photos with that camera and I would definitely feast on those desserts myself!