The week of the 4th of July is always very busy, but this year seemed even more so. I don’t know if it was because the 4th fell on a Sunday so the holiday seemed to be spread out through 3 full days or if it was simply because we had a number of family gatherings.
Sunday we celebrated my nephew’s graduation from high school. We had a lot of family friends gather for dinner and well wishes. Dax will be going to Oxford in the fall. We’re all trying to plan trips out to visit him.
Our cousin Dan made this beautiful cake for the party. I cut it before I photographed it. Oops, my bad. ***I WILL TRY AND GET THIS RECIPE FOR ALL WHO HAVE COMMENTED ON HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS.
With Dax leaving, my mom really wanted to get a group photo of all of the cousins. Jade and Ivy had to do a little bit of goofing around first. I love their “funky stank” faces. Hip hop has really helped them both come out of their shell. (As if either of them ever had a shell to come out of).
Here’s our handsome bunch of grandkids on my side of the family.
Years ago, we had a friend (Rachel Sandberg) take our family pictures. This is a little blast from the past to see the kids 4 years ago. Jade was the same age as Ivy is now. CRAZY.
My girls and I got up super early on Monday and went to the Balloon fest with Melissa and my mom. We got there after the balloons had already taken off, so we missed the really great pictures. But the girls were still really glad that they went and they did capture some fun pictures. Ivy’s camera broke part way through and the little lens cover didn’t fold up all the way, so we missed a bunch of what she loved.
We also went out on the lake with some of our friends that were in from out of town. I took hundreds of pictures of wake boarding, tubing and surfing. I think I share enough of those pictures here, so instead, here is one of my favorite parts of boating… TWINKIES!!!
Okay, I realize they aren’t healthy in any way. But, they aren’t messy (unless you eat them like Corn on the cob – which is apparently Ivy’s method of choice). They store well in a bag or in the cooler. The go on great sales plus Costco usually has them for a pretty good price. So, they are perfect boating food. Plus you can bribe any kid to try something new for a twinkie.
Hosted by Cecily and Serious Krystyn
Looks like days and days of fun! Love the balloon shot with that sun flare.
Twitter: stephsday
That cake IS beautiful. Did it taste as good as it looked? I bet it did. Mmmm.
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
delicious and way easy to make. Dan put the recipe in the comments but I’ll post it one of these days.
Twitter: SeriousKrystyn
That cake looks fabulous.
And, I love the comparison shot from 4 years before.
Would you believe this? Never had a Twinkie in my life..and I’m okay with it.
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
I love frozen twinkies. They are so not good for you but really are just yummy.
hey i need a copy of that picture of the kids! you got a GREAT one!
Great pictures! I tried my first ever FRIED Twinkie at the last ball game we went to. It was good……to my tummy, not to my thighs.
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Fried twinkies? You must be from the south. That’s the only place I know that does them. I’ve heard they are good, but I have yet to try them.
When I grow up I want to take good food pictures like you. Looks like you had a blast!
Twitter: tickledbymuses
OH! That cake looks REALLY good, cut or not!
It’s funny, but we went to a Balloonfest this past weekend too. An annual family tradition. Whomever can make it for the year does… Definite good times!
Twitter: Alli_n_Son
That cake is to die for. Can I have a piece? Pretty please?
I will take ten pieces of that cake, please.
Twitter: makeitworkmom
Looks like you still captured some awesome shots of the balloons! And every other pic looks great as well! I love reading your posts.
Twitter: runwithmel
First, that cake looks amazing (I need the recipe!) Such a fun week–sad I missed the 4th AGAIN, but so thrilled to enjoy the balloons with you, mom and the girls.
I love the “funky stank” faces. Priceless. My goodness…. Ivy’s hair is getting so long! They are both beautiful girls!
I’m in love with this post! The photos are amazing and I suddenly want cake and a twinkie. Yes, I said “and.”
Amy
Twitter: familytrifecta
Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 8:51 am
both cake and twinkies are totally acceptable 🙂