Memories of the 4th of July: In the Beginning

Once upon a time... Isn't that how all good stories begin? It may be hard to believe, but Don and I have not always thrown 4th of July parties. Honestly, we love America as much as the next guy, but we aren't super patriots. So, our tradition didn't even come out of a great love for the holiday. Sorry, America. Here's how it really happened: Our niece, Lacey Bachart was born November 23rd, 2003. She was baptized in Las Vegas at Christ the King in January of 2004. All the family gathered to celebrate the beginning of the new generation. Don's family is Irish-Italian and his Nana, Jean DelliBovi, was quite proud of the Italian roots. During family dinner at Chapalas, Nana was quite disturbed to find that multiple family members had not seen all of The Godfather movies- the Italian family primer. To remedy this problem, it was decided that the next three day weekend the family was to gather to watch The Godfather trilogy. It was determined that the next feasible three day weekend all could commit to was 4th of July weekend. 4th of July weekend 2004 was to be a three day family gathering for the express purpose of watching The Godfather. And, thus, a tradition was born. 13 years in, and we have yet to show The Godfather.

It pains me to admit this, but I'm starting to have trouble separating the years and all the memories. I want to catalog all the life and milestones that have happened over our parties. The engagements, the babies, the people who are no longer with us, the crazy drunk stories, the fights even! But, we need your help, especially with the first years. I'll be writing posts for each year and would love for you to fill in the gaps with your comments. Then, someday, I'd like to put all this together in a more cohesive history. I guess that's my grandpa's historian tendency coming out in me.