Fourth of July 2014

Fourth of July is one of my very favorite holidays.

Right up there with Christmas.

I'm very patriotic, growing up in a military family, so I'm all about celebrating our country and bleed red, white and blue!

As usual, we spent the weekend at my in-laws lake house and our time was spent, boating, swimming, and enjoying each other.

Here's a recap in pictures.

I was lucky to be awarded July 3rd off at work so we headed up that evening.

Our niece and nephew had already been up there for a couple of days.

We swam our hearts out that Thursday afternoon.

A last minute decision was made the night before the 4th to head over to the city of Faith, NC for their annual and VERY well known 4th of July festival and parade.

This town bursts with red, white and blue every July.

It was a great way to get the holiday started.

Made you proud to be an American.

I even got teary eyed when the piece of the World Trade Center rolled by.

Back home, we headed back to the dock.

For the 4th year in a row my in-laws were gracious to host my parents for the 4th.

So great that Shelby can enjoy both sets of grandparents in one weekend.

Unsuccessful attempt at a family 4th of July picture.

Dinner consisted of tenderloin, green beans, fresh caprese salad, fresh blueberry pie and cupcakes.

Shelby made both sets of grandparents patriotic paintings at school.

BIL and SIL brought their crazy dog with them.

Ellie just got out of a 3-month duck hunt school but holy moly it hasn't calmed her down any.

CRAZY pooch!

HA!

We actually all made it out on the boat that evening to see fireworks on the lake.

I didn't get any pictures because my camera just doesn't take great night/fireworks pictures.

Shelby wasn't phased at all.

Actually, she could have cared less about the show.

July 5th consisted of more time outside and on the water.

Our friends Mike and Melissa even made it down from DC.

Great 4th of July.

So awesome to spend it with family.

Thanks again to my in-laws for their hospitality!

July Fourth Weekend 2011!!

Another July 4th weekend is in the books.

Sad it is over but it is.

As I have mentioned the past few weeks we spent the holiday at my in-laws lake home and my parents came over from Eastern NC for the fun.

As always MIL had the place decked out in Red, White and Blue!

 The new addition on the house looks great.  I will do a post about this soon but want to get all the before and after pictures from MIL first.

 We got up to the lake on Saturday, July 2nd and my parents arrived around dinner time.

 We ate dinner and headed out for a sunset boat ride on the pontoon.

 My Dad and Buddy.  The pooch is always so happy when at the lake.

 My eyes are closed in this picture.  I uploaded so many pictures that I didn't get the right one but I'm not about to start over with blogger at this point.

 Then, the next morning, July 3rd we headed out on the water early to do a little water skiing.

Brad has skied his whole life but hasn't done it in the past couple of years.

He eventually kicked off one ski and slalomed but I didn't get a picture of that.  He said I couldn't post him skiing with two skis but it's all I have.

 Then my MIL gave it a whirl!

I was pretty impressed!!!!

My parents were too!!

 Then the real test came.

Me.

I tried to ski once in high school but not since then.

Brad was determined to teach me.

 I tried and tried.

Got up once but fell.

Gave it my best shot 8 or 9 times but got too worn out.

It is my goal to get up before this summer is over.

Yesterday and today I AM SORE!!! BEYOND BELIEF!

My arms, my legs.. my body.

It's confirmed.

I need to start lifting weights again.

 Later on -- more boat rides.

 I adore this picture.

 MIL and FIL went all out with dinner for the 3rd.

They invited neighbors over and FIL smoked baby back ribs.

I'll be talking more about food tomorrow and even have a giveaway to announce as well!

 Smoked chicken was on the menu too.

 Little monkeys were watching over the grill.

 Ready for dinner.

 Then after dinner we headed back on the boat to look for some fireworks.

Sadly, the main ones for High Rock Lake were shot off last night and giving that we all had to work today we didn't stick around for them.

 Instead, we saw just a few that people on the lake were shooting off.

Still pretty but not the big show like we had hoped for.

 JULY 4TH!!

We got up and headed back out for more skiing.

This time BIL, Jeff, hit the water.

I was pretty impressed with his skiing as well.

 Then we decided to get the kids on the tube for the first time.

Reed was first but got a bit scared so instead his sister decided she 'I ride tube!'.

 No FEAR at all!!

She's not even 3-years old yet.

Cutest thing ever.

No kidding! 

 After seeing his sister praised, Reed decided he would go after all.

We ran the boat faster for him and he loved it as well!

 Then, I decided to ride it too. 

Twice.

That did not help my soreness. 

Actually, made it worse. 

Literally, I cannot even cross my legs today.

A blast of a holiday weekend!

Thanks to my in-laws for hosting us, as always!

Again, join me tomorrow for a giveaway!

Also, for those of you wondering.

Yes, I did watch the Casey Anthony closing arguments this weekend in between all this fun.

I'm now - like everyone else, waiting for the verdict.

Should be interesting!!

How was your weekend?