Happy Independence Day!

Oh, wait, am I a little late on that?  Sorry!  I have been slowly editing some of my more recent photos and decided to start here for July 4th.

Last year we spent the 4th at my cousin's house, she lives right on the parade route, in Lebanon, Indiana.  I love doing the 4th there.  It's an idyllic time.  Everyone wears red, white, and blue.  They drive around in decorated golf carts, the floats are original, and the parade always has lots of columbines and characters galore.

The family usually gathers and in days past had Uncle Perk's homemade ice cream, which is the most delicious ice cream ever!  Everyone chips in and brings the favorites like pulled pork, banana pudding, bean salad, etc.  The food is delish!

Originally, we had planned on travelling from Chicago down to Lebanon for the 4th, meeting my Mom there and then driving back up, with her, to our house.  We found out that our town has a pretty great parade, too, that literally comes as close as just a couple of houses away from us, so...we decided to stay and see what it was all about.  I still did miss Lebanon, though.

It was a fantastic parade, made even better that our house was so close.  It seems our parade is used to being shot at with water guns, and so when the watches spray them...they spray back.  We will definitely have to have our water guns ready for next year.  The kids had fun and it was a blast seeing neighbors we know and meeting new people from our area.

After the parade and a short walk home, we met our good friends for a July 4th BBQ.  The kids swam and met new friends.  We shot off little fireworks and the kids had sparklers.  And, again, it was fun meeting new people.

It was a great day to celebrate our Independence!

July 4th, 2015

Day Trippin in May

I can't remember why we decided to take a quick day trip one weekend in May, but I think it had something to do with just doing something different and getting out of the house.  We traveled north into Wisconsin (not that far from us believe it or not) and up into Milwaukee.  After we arrived for a bit, it was decided that we would stop at a kite festival they were having right on the lake.  We stayed there a while and looked around and decided it was time for some lunch.  After getting turned around on the highway loop a couple of times, we found an amazing area filled with restaurants.  We decided, hopefully, on a cute little Mexican restaurant and were pleasantly surprised to find it the closest to what we were used to in Arizona.  It was awesome to have that little taste of home.  Afterward, we stopped on our way home at...The Cheese Castle.  Yes folks, a whole castle full of cheese and anything you could ever want to eat with cheese.  You can find more information here.  Then a short drive later we saw an A&W stand and decided the kids should have a proper rootbeer float.  Seriously, does anyone make them as good as they do?
It was a lovely, unexpected day, and hopefully one the kids will remember with a few smiles.