July 4th 2009

Every year for the

Fourth of July,

My Mom puts together a

4th of July Family Spectacular.

Complete with

Star-Spangled Invitations,

a Flag Ceremony,

and a Thrills & Skills Talent Portion.

So every summer,

we try to make it back to

{from the deck in back}

Small Hometown, USA

and we LOVE it!

******

And in between

hot dog roasts and a

dutch oven breakfast,

obstacle courses and

crafts,

and long before fireworks,

we do things like:

{our entry for the Children's Parade}

have Band Practice,

Slurp Popsicles Galore,

go on a treasure hunt,

line-up for

tractor rides, fresh produce,

and

Razzle-Dazzle cupcakes!

*

It takes a lot of planning,

energy, and willingness

to pull it off for

a group our size,

but we sure look forward

to it EVERY year!

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa P!

Oh Yah,

I forgot to add the part where my sisters

and I stayed up talking till 4AM,

and made

and then ate

Mississippi Mud Brownies

Not Once, But Twice

Yah, it was WONDERFUL!