A Backyard Birthday and Father's Day in June

A snapshot from a single Sunday in June 2002. This particular day was a dual celebration—Father's Day and a family birthday party. The day was spent mostly outdoors in the yard and driveway of a suburban home, under leafy green trees.

The kids were buzzing with energy, posing for photos and riding a small pink bike up and down the paved driveway. Later, the whole family gathered in the backyard. We sat around a long picnic table covered with a blue floral cloth, which was soon filled with plates, red plastic cups, and bottles of soda.

It was a classic backyard cookout. The main event was celebrating the kids' birthday with a cake set right on the table. The birthday girl, in her red shirt, sat opening cards while her friends and family watched. It was just one of those simple, sunny afternoons spent together at home.