THE 4TH IN A NUTSHELL

The fourth of July is a big deal for our family.

We always congregate up to the parents house in Idaho

and have a couple days of fun and togetherness.

It's a time for our humungous family to be in the same place,

at the same time, eating the same delicious food,

laughing at the same jokes, and getting the same dang dog tired.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEKEND INCLUDED:

ADDY'S BIRTHDAY

ELIZA & JASON GETTING ENGAGED

GETTING MY HAIR DID......

BY MY INDEPENDANT & BEAUTIFUL SISTER EMILY

WHO WHEN I TOLD HER I WANTED IT BROWN AND BLONDE

JUST TOSSED HER HEAD IN LAUGHTER AND ASSURED

ME THAT "MAHOGANY" WOULD BE MY PERFECT MATCH.

THEN WHEN I TOOK THE TOWEL OFF

AND MY HAIR WAS RED

AND FAMILY MEMBERS CALLED ME-

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE,

RAMONA QUIMBY,

AND THAT MANNEQUIN FROM I AM LEGEND,

I WAS FINALLY SHOWERED WITH COMPLIMENTS

ASSURING ME THAT IT REALLY DID LOOK GOOD

AND I GUESS

AFTER MUCH THOUGHT AND PRAYER

YES EMILY,

IT DOES.

PICNIC & SWIMMING IN THE POND

WITH THE OVER PROTECTIVE SWANS,

LEECHES, MOSQUITOS, AND FISH... OH MY!

MELALEUCA FREEDOM CELEBRATION

DINNER ON THE RIVER

IDAHO FALLS SYMPHONY

FIREWORKS

(THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR I REBELLED AND DIDN'T

MAKE MY FAMILY WEAR ALL RED, WHITE AND BLUE, AND FOR THE RECORD,

IT IS PAINFUL FOR ME TO POST THIS BAD PICTURE, BUT FOR POSTERITIES SAKE....)

4 MILE FUN VANDERUN AROUND THE BLOCK

ON DEVIN'S BIRTHDAY...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVIN!

FAMILY SERVICE PROJECT

200 HYGIENE KITS PUT TOGETHER

TO BE DROPPED OFF TO THE HUMANITARIAN CENTER

AND DISPERSED TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM MOST.

THE CRAWFORD FAMILY FROM NEW ORLEANS

IT WAS SO GOOD TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR FRIENDS

WHO WERE VISITING...ADDY WAS ESPECIALLY EXCITED!

IT WAS A STUPENDOUS WEEKEND!!

Moments not captured on film include...

early morning parade to watch about 500 cheerleaders and medieval fighters with their fake swords, first year where Cassie didn't have to march in the hot parade leading the band, soggy sandwich tree sandwiches, lots of xbox for the boys, lots of babies and toy sharing for the girls, Trent singing the national anthem spot on, campfire with smores where we discussed landing on the moon (again), bigfoot, and dead transients, grownups night out to mongolian grill for dinner and a movie of hancock where the treats were abundant and the language was questionable, seeing Devon and her adorable girls, looking at pictures of the Crawfords restored home after Hurricane Katrina, heavenly shoulder massage from LaurieKae, playing Spades, Cheri's devilish peanut butter bars, running with Charisa and mom, a great talk with Tony about jobs and life choices, pow-wow meeting about family history and our trip to europe, meeting Sadies beau Jeff, hearing Cruz sing spanish lullabys, seeing baby clem, meeting Jim Risch former governor of idaho, watching the men kill a mouse with a ping pong paddle, cousins playing together, sharing hair dryers, lots of candy, emily's salad and late night tv together, family testimonies, sunday family conference call and overhearing a conversation in a mystery language, my surprise france sign, running through the hallway in my towel....yeah, glad no one got a picture of that.

We missed Aaron, Jairus, Tiffs family, Sam, and Brian's family!

I LOVE MY FAMILY

AND I LOVE AMERICA

THE END!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

We hope everyone has a super

Independence Holiday!

Be safe, eat good food, light a sparkler, and wave a flag.

Super Dad!

Yesterday was a great Father's Day!

We first honored the super pops with giant German Pancakes

and some little gifts and cards from the kiddos.

After church we headed to Nana & Pa's

house for some delicious BBQ Ribs, fresh corn on the cob,

greek salad, bread, baked beans, and 7 layer bean dip

none of us could leave alone.

***

We celebrated Chris' birthday two days early with some

German Chocolate Cake out of the Lion House Cookbook.

Hey Sara, how did it turn out?

Ummmm, a little on the dry side,

I'll stick to my old recipe next time thanks.

Hey Sara, are you guys German?

No, but we like food that is mythically from that region.

Hey Sara, why isn't Oliver in any of those pictures?

We forgot him at home, oops.

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It was a yummy and relaxing day spent with family.

We love you Papa Bear!!!