And the Rockets Red Glare...

And the Rockets Red Glare..., originally uploaded by islandj.

It was the best day of the year, or so Chris stated! At the very least, it was a full one. We began with a breakfast meeting with Chris's dad and sister, at my favorite cafe in Orange County, Haute Cakes. Oh, Yum. And then some. I hadn't been to that part of Costa Mesa since we moved years ago, so it was full of memories (it's also where Chris went to elementary school growing up) and plenty of "wow, how that's changed!" moments.

Then we went to a wonderful park and met with many of Chris's close friends from high school church group days. What a trip down memory lane, even for me, since I've heard all the stories so many times. Chris was in heaven, catching up with friends we haven't seen since the kids were born (or even longer). Our good friends (who we see somewhat regularly) were also there, so the girls were happily playing the entire time with their friends K, K, K and K. Sterling was even happier with the huge passel of boys who wanted to play baseball, frisbee and anything else that involved running around.

And fully sated with that party, we were blessed to get to join in my dear friends' mom's party in Emerald Bay - which is a private beach community in beautiful Laguna Beach. The kids played in the sand and water, we adults enjoyed good appy's and drinks beach side, and then there as an incredible dinner party up at the house. Anytime you enter into a new world - and upscale Laguna is definitely that - there is so much feast for the eyes and mind... many things to giggle over, to admire, to wonder at. Sterling loves the home theatre, where baseball seems larger than life. Siena loves all the yummy food. Sage loves her little friends M and A. Chris loves the incredibly precise and luxurious home. I love watching it all unfold... it truly is a world apart from what I grew up in!

After dinner (for 50), we were able to watch two fireworks displays. They both originated on a barge tugged out into two coves - the first was honestly one of the best we'd ever seen, made only more so by being able to watch them light the fireworks on the barge, seeing them streak through the sky, and then explode in a ball of fire. Sage was terrified at first - honestly, they were so very close, and the sound was immense, so she and I stayed inside the glass wall and watched until she was so engaged she forgot to be scared.

When the first set of fireworks had its big finale, the second set began in another cove, so all of us rushed to the front of the house and watched a second incredible show. The nearly full moon was shining just above the fireworks, and it was just beautiful. Here's a shot of the grand finale, I only wish you could hear Sage and Siena clapping and cheering and loving every minute!