Happy Fireworks Day

We were so excited to have The Liddicoat Family here for their first Independence Day - note I did not say their 1st 4th of July because as I was reminded multiple times by a certain someone that they had had plenty of 4th of Julys but no independence days - fair enough, point taken and thankyou!

We started off our day by a little trip to IHOP with my brother and his family and Chads brother and his family

We came home and all crashed for awhile trying to recover from the night before and gear up for another late night of playing.

In the PM we went up to Chads parents house for a good old fashioned BBQ and the kids had a ball playing in the yard and around the fruit trees - eating one of everything

I love that they decided to be cheesy and wear matching flag shirts - they are determined to really get into every holiday and experience everything they can over here - and old navy matching tshirts gosh darn it is part of that - well done!

What we all have been waiting for - watching fireworks - Abby was insistent that they looked better with the glasses on! Maybe we should all wear them next year, I am sure Chad will all over that one!

The Great Outdoors!

Our 2nd annual 3rd of July backyard campout was a success and ended without any visits by the fire department (unlike last year). We had about 85 attendees to enjoy a beautiful summer evening together with friends!

We roasted some hot dogs over the fire pit for dinner

My brother David and I. When I posed with him, his daughter Beth was a little uncomfortable and upset with how close we were, you know another woman with her arm around her daddy - we thought it was quite funny and had to explain a few things about having the same mum and dad!

Me and some of my gal pals!

View from the balcony - not capturing the whole scene but good enough.


the kids were entertained by all sorts of games

Smore smores please!

I love the whole make your own dinner and make your own dessert idea!

Time for the movie on the big screen projector. This year we watched Finding Nemo - that movie always brings a smile to my face - Fish are friends - not food. Really that movie has so many good lines - love it!
Only 4 families spent the night and somehow a bunch of other kids! I somehow made my way up to my bed again (so bad I know) but I did not sleep well at all so thats what I get! Another good time - next year all are invited again, but I think we will nix the camping out and just make it a late night - it makes for too tiring of a 4th!

Blueberry Pickin - finger lickin!

How cool is it that just a few minutes away there is a pick your own blueberry farm. I was quite impressed when I got there - it was bigger than I expected and so cute. We had David and Esther and family here for the week and to celebrate Savannahs birthday we decided to go get us some blueberries. Even though it was hot hot hot - they tasted so darn good! I would eat one then put one in my bucket, eat one and one in the bucket. The kids loved it! We will definitely be visiting again next season.



Ever since our little excursion we have been having blueberry smoothies, blueberries on icecream, on yogurt, by themselves - you name it - I am on a blueberry kick - so good. My teeth may get a little stained but we are full of all their antioxidant goodness!