Happy 4th of July 2011

This year, our 4th was a little stranger than normal.  We celebrated with my entire family earlier than usual - one of my brothers and his family (at least his kids that are still living at home) have moved out of state.  And all their packing and such was taking place right around the 4th.  So, we had one last get together at their house early, complete with lots of food and even some fireworks at the end.

And then on the actual day, we had my parents and one brother over for a very small cookout.  Instead of going to see fireworks (our fireworks family - The Halls - moved out of state last year) we stayed home and enjoyed a show put on by Ryan and Doug.  Our state legalized fireworks to be shot at home just this past year, so that is what we did.  And I of course had a great time taking photos of the fireworks.  I love night shooting - and this one was a challenge since I've never really gotten good firework shots.

One of the desserts I made and took over for
the last big family gathering.  The other one
was homemade mint chip ice cream - that
picture did not come out very well.

One of many fireworks Ryan had fun
shooting off for us.

Doug & Ryan with sparklers. 

July Calendar Page

July 2010 - Fireworks with Ben, Brittany, Baylee and Payton

2011 New Years Celebration

It's a Tradition.  Yep, that's right we have a lot of them.  And the last one for the year is always New Years Eve at our house.  My family comes over for an evening of games, food, movies and chatting (something we are all very, very good at).  So, here are some of the pics from New Years Eve.

Patti, Angela, my mom, Alice, Allie and my dad all had a fun
evening playing Mexican Train.

Sam was constantly on the prowl for any food bits.  This year we
had a turkey and wild rice dish, hot dogs in barbecue sauce and
a multi bean dish.  They were all so yummy.  Not to mention all
the chips, dips, chocolates, fudge, cookies and so much more.

The younger crowd playing games.

At midnight we went outside to ring in the new year.  Since
fireworks were just recently made legal, we had a few
fireworks as well.

I don't remember what these are called, but they spun around and
spat out sparks.  Pretty fun to watch.  Ryan had a great time
lighting them.  I even got in on the fun and lit a couple.

Ryan and a sparkler on New Years Eve

Pumpkin and Chili Festival

On Friday night, we attended a local Pumpkin and Chili Festival with my niece and her family.  This is our third year going with them and we had so much fun this year - I think it was the best time yet!  I took tons of photos - over 100, so get ready for some viewing. (And for those of you that get this in email form, you may want to go to the sight to view it - it looks so much better there.)

Me, Ryan and Doug
At the beginning of the day ready to have some fun.

Ben, Baylee, Payton and Brittany

Baylee and Ryan got their faces painted.

Ryan's ghost

Baylee's pumpkin

Ryan and I waiting to get on the hayride to the corn maze.
This year we decided to go to the corn maze before it got dark,
with the hopes that we might actually make it through the maze
this time.

On the way to the maze, the hayride driver stopped and let everyone feed
some reindeer that are at the farm.

Baylee getting some more hay to feed the reindeer.

Baylee, Ben and Payton hiding in the corn
maze.  I think they were going to try to scare
Brittany and I.

By the time we made it through the maze, it was starting to get dark.
It was perfect timing.

After the maze, we all decided that food sounded pretty good.  And, we
were hoping that they would have some fresh corn, after looking at all
that corn ready to be picked in the maze.  We got chili, pulled pork, hot dog
and fresh corn - for all three of us to share.  It was yummy!

Then it was time to hit the rides.  Ryan and Baylee went on the bumble bee
ride together several times.  It was fun to watch Ryan help Baylee get in
and out of the ride.

They have these totally cool pedal yourself go cart things.  On one course,
they are big enough for four people to go on.  And on the other it's
for one person.  This was on the four person.  The two people in back
do all the pedaling.  Ryan decided he wanted to be pedaled around by
Doug and I.

Ryan, Ben and Doug getting ready to race on the Individual Course.

While the boys were racing, Baylee entertained
herself waiting for them.

Doug at the end of the race.  Those carts are so fun, but they are quite the
workout.

Ryan and I went on the swings a few times and the roller coaster.

Here was a fun tennis ball launcher where you
try to hit some targets.  Ryan hit several of them.
It wasn't very crowded on the night we went so
no lines to wait in.  That was very nice.

At the end of the evening, they even had some fireworks.

And we couldn't leave without getting a
pumpkin.  Ryan picked this one out.

July Calendar Pages

I cannot believe that I am all caught up on the calendar pages.  Now, to just get caught up on the rest of our activities!

2007:

2008:

2009:

2010:

Happy Fourth to all!

This year, our plans to celebrate the fourth were very last minute. It worked out that my parents and brother and my niece and her family were able to come over for a cookout, swimming, movies and video games. I'm glad we got together from some fun family times. There were a couple Harry Potter movies that got watched, some Halo was played on the XBox, swimming and tons of yummy food to share!

Ranger & my dad:

My mom with her newest great-grandson:
Ben & Doug grilling the food. Ben prepared these totally yummy shish-kabobs (or however you spell them!):

Ryan was very excited to have Ben come over. That meant someone new to play Halo with:

Ben "rocking it" in the pool with Doug & Baylee:

Both dogs made it in the pool, with a little help from me, to hang out with Doug:

All the swimmers, including the dogs:

Baylee & Ryan playing with his Halo guys:

Ryan, Melissa & Doug ready to watch some fireworks:

Baylee fell asleep on the way to fireworks and never woke up. Here's Ben, Baylee, Brittany and Payton:

The Fireworks: