4th of July. . . Wisconsin Style

This fourth of July, I am thankful for many things. Our freedoms are a big one. Our freedom to worship, to express, to bear arms, to live in peace. I am thankful for the men and women who have served and still serve our country to protect these freedoms. I am thankful for good and moral civic leaders who strive to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. I am thankful for the founding fathers. The brave and God fearing men (and women) who were responsible for drawing up our Constitution.

And last night, I was so very thankful that none of my, or anyone else's children, lost any digits, eyesight or limbs in our "interactive" fireworks display at our friends, The Johnsons house, out in Wisconsin.

Their son Jacob has been working at the fireworks stand in Wisconsin for the past month, and has been collecting a literal arsenal of fireworks to put on his biggest show yet. Here he is with the "Classic Nine". The Classic Nine retails for $159.00. Yeah.

Let me just tell ya a little bit about this fireworks show. When I say 'interactive', I mean that the smoke was so thick, and the booms were so loud, we felt like we were on the streets of Beirut. When I say 'interactive', I mean that we had to dodge the falling flaming cinders and ashes. When I say 'interactive', I mean that I ran screaming into the garage for cover more than once. I had a hard time not screaming when those mortars went shooting out of the homemade mortal tube system that Jacob had made. It was impressive to say the least. Impressive, adrenaline pumping, flaming fun. Here are some of the fireworks that Jacob and others lit off right in front of their house. . . . (these pictures are from David, Jacob's Dad)

They had names like. . "Hot Hot Hot". . . "Prescott Power". . .

"Saturn's Missile". . . "Magical Barrage 100". . . ."Freedom fighters". . .

This next picture is what I allowed my 4 children to do. This is a Roman Candle War.

They each, even little Alex, 1st Grade, hold up a Roman Candle, which has 7 missile shots, and launch them into the sky. This picture does not adequately represent the fear that is in my heart that someone will get a Roman Candle to the face or body.

It was a crazy fun 4th of July night. It was filled with heart pounding excitement and the kids couldn't have asked for a better way to do fireworks. . . Wisconsin Style. Thanks Jacob for all the time and money invested to put on the best pyrotechnic display EVER!!