Happy 4th of July

We had a great 4th. (The first 4th of July for Astrid!) We went to our friend John's party in Santa Monica. It started off with a game of kickball at a park near John's house. And just like in fifth grade, everyone had to line up while the two team captains took turns picking their team members. (You can imagine the moaning by those less than athletic individuals.)

Highlights of the game included our friend Lisa (John's girlfriend) taking out the first baseman (someone forgot to tell Lisa that tackles aren't allowed in kickball), people slipping in the mud and getting filthy (someone falling in the mud is always good for a laugh and since we're adults we have to add the obligatory "oh no... are you okay?" and then it's okay to continue laughing) and of course there was Uwe's brilliant strategy to make it look like he was going to kick the ball outta the park, only to tap it lightly for a bunt and a guaranteed base hit. (It was noted that they were playing some dirty kickball...literally and figuratively.) Astrid was sitting in the dugout rooting her sneaky daddy on.

After 9 innings of kickball we went back to John's place for some serious bbq'ing. Uwe took this photo. It was his view of the party from where he was dj'ing.

We ended the evening at home, sitting out on our balcony holding hands, watching the horizon light up with fireworks.