100 on the 4th

Phew. Wow.
Hot 'nough for ya? Only a few degrees shy of 100 today.

I am so very thankful for air conditioning. So very thankful.
But, nonetheless, today was the 4th of July and that means being outside. It just does.
Our families' tradition, dating back to 1976 and the Centennial Year, has been to be in Erhard for the 4th of July Celebration. Since Hubby and I grew up in and near the same town, we both brought that same tradition into our married life. And today is only the third time that I can recall in all of those years (36!!) that I have not been in Erhard.

Even though we did not travel to Erhard this year, we did celebrate in much the same way. This morning, Hubby took out the Model A and washed it and shined it up nice for the parade in Park Rapids. Joshua signed up to be with his Taekwondo class and Hubby volunteered to drive our old car and be the "water boy".

Oh it was hot. And the weather was threatening. It rumbled and the wind came up and a few drops splashed to the sidewalk and sizzled for a split second before disappearing. And then it was still hot.

We had plans to go to R and I's after the parade.
But first things first.

Ahhhh. Water. Cool, clear water.

We drove into Menahga for a quick splash while Hubby helped his brother Travis with some electrical work at their new old house in town. And then we sped home.

Because we had plans to end the day with s'mores and some fireworks.

The weather wanted to be an issue but somehow we managed to be always on the edge of it and our plans were not dampened a bit.

The sky turned from gray to yellow to pink. It rumbled and flashed lightning and the little ones were as mesmerized by that as they were the fireworks.

Then all the sparks had sparkled and all the marshmallows melted.
It was time to end another 4th of July celebration.
Oh, and it was hot.

Tut-Tut, Looks Like Rain (it's time to go camping)

After last year, some have said with a knowing smile and a chuckle,  it's a wonder they'd make plans to go again.

But they did.

It's been in the air all week. The preparations and weather-watching. Some definite "upgrades" the Hubby made this year was to move up from a one-man tent to a two-man tent. Guess it's hard for a man to get a good night's sleep in the wild when sleeping diagonally across the tent floor still does not allow for your legs to be fully extended. And better rain gear. Looks like he'll be needing that!

Since last year's tent was staying home, the boys thought it would be a great idea to do a little camping of their own. They decided to set up just off the patio in the back yard. Their idea of "camping" was not quite what one might imagine.



While Hubby was double checking his pack and his list, the boys were preparing for a more modern version of the camping experience.

Oh, why not. And we even made it a family event. I popped up the popcorn and I don't know how we managed to fold and bend around each other in that tiny dome but we did. We snuggled in and ate popcorn and watched Fly Away Home together. It rained. The wind blew. And when the movie was done I thought the boys would probably follow us into the house to sleep in their own beds. But they didn't. They tucked in under blankets and we left the outside light on. Just in case.

At 1:30 we woke to a crack of thunder and some lightning and Hubby bolted out of bed to go get them. They were already on their way in.

When we woke early this morning, the rain was still pelting against the windows and the forecast called for more of the same.

 A little bit of rain was not enough to keep Hubby and E from their second annual BWCA camping excursion. It didn't take long to get things loaded and they were off!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

All These Little Loves

It's Valentine's Day and it's all about LOVE.

With the girls all in their own families to love on now, this isn't a holiday we've gathered together for over the last couple of years. But on a whim yesterday afternoon, I asked them all--how about breakfast here tomorrow? And guess what? Around 7:30 this Valentine's morning, these mamas and their littles and even a couple hubbies gathered in for some sweets and breakfast.

Love. Sweetness.
Happy Valentine's Day!