It's not that I love America, I just love themed parties.

Elizabeth and I woke early yesterday morning to prepare for our 4th of July BBQ. We cleaned, frosted the cake and set up our festive table. I started the day out with a cup of delicious coffee at Starbucks with Michele. Afterwards, we came home and made the party happen! We barbequed burgers and hot dogs, played yard games like Ladder Ball and Corn Hole, sipped on Amber's famous ice tea and Jeremy's choice of beer, and celebrated the day in happiness. I love bringing people together and I really enjoyed all of the festivities.

You can always count on Michele to make any party look fantastic!



Hosts!

Table Spread

Jeremy, the trustee BBQ man.

Assorted Party Favors

Liz was very proud of her patriotic cake.

White rustic chairs: $9 Antique store in Coeur D'alene

Bubble wars.

More bubbles.

Caty's great form while playing Ladder Ball.

Aaron and Rebekah lounging on the hammock (the only area with shade).

Waiting for the fireworks.

More waiting.

Red, White and Blue!

Sunset

I would say it was a very successful Fourth of July.

I asked a couple of the guests write down their most memorable 4th of July activities. Here are some highlights:

Walking to the park with blankets to watch fireworks, bottle rockets in Grama's driveway, pops with cousins, campfires with Aunts & Uncles, Sparklers with best friens, late night explosions out my windown, iced cookies with sprinkles & my red polo shirt-Liz

Walking through the freedom fair on the waterfront in Tacoma, writing my name is sparklers, watching the fireworks show in Dayna's parent's bedroom, sitting on a strangers lawn surrounded by strangers but feeling like we are friends, eating hot dogs and snow cones and enjoying summer-Sara

Fathom'f of Fun Carnival rides, snake races, climbing on Bailey's roof and gettting dirty, fireworks, from my uncles Larry at my grandparent's, seeting off fireworks in our kiddie pool, throwing fireworks at a cop car at the age of 6 because my older cousin said it was a good idea, Port Orchard Waterfront Parade-Caty

Watching my mom do boat races on the lake, my dad lecturing us about how dangerous fireworks were, and lighting them anyway at a friend's house, watching fireworks over the river at Gonzaga, Lake Wilderness with Lindsay and a million people at the leech-filled lake, BBQ at a friend's house and not knowing anyone else but loving every second of it-Kathy

Going to my older sister's friend's house, Conrad-the big guy who smoke cigars, older friend's lighting off fireworks and exploding random things, thinking all of these people were really cool, making a massive bonfire with a can of wax in the middle causing the biggest explosion of fire I have ever seen in real life (because I've seen bigger in movies of course). -Monte