life lately... independence day

We didn't have big plans for celebrating the holiday... we were just happy to both have Monday & Tuesday off together! Since I knew I wasn't going to talk Eric into the beach fireworks on Tuesday, I figured it would be worth a shot to try for the local baseball game on Monday, since they had fireworks afterwards...

1. On the way to the game, I spotted this atrocity. I don't know how they got it all
fastened up there, and I certainly didn't trust it to stay! We got out from behind them
as soon as we could... 

2. We arrived at the game, and even though it was under a lightning delay, I was excited!

3. I think what I liked best about the game was... watching them take the tarp off the field,
seeing the many moods of the sky beyond the stadium (from sunset to crazy lightning!)
and just having time out with Eric. Apparently, I don't care for baseball. Oops. 

4. Us, looking super cute in our Cornell College caps! We were prepared for the rain that delayed
the game after the third inning (raincoats, umbrella & hats)... but after an hour we decided we
were not prepared to hang around until after midnight for the fireworks. See #3. 

5. Eric got up at 2 am to start his beef brisket in the smoker... 12 hours!

6. Playing Game of Phones at our friend's house. Cam gave John this card game for his
birthday and it is SO. FUN. I did NOT accidentally buy a refrigerator this time around.
Our friends happened to have this cool charging station, which was a pretty great accessory!

7. Toasting the holiday with a little patriotic lemonade!

8. The beef brisket was worth his sleepless night... it was delicious!

9. And what is a holiday without dessert? Chocolate pavlova... but for the second year
in a row my meringue flattened in the oven. Anyone know why?

I hope your day was great!

happy fourth!

It is one of my my favorite things... when the wind is blow strong and Old Glory flies on the breeze.
And this shot?  Taken at the beach a couple of weekends ago, so two of my favorite things.

I hope your Fourth of July is spectacular!

scenes from memorial day

It was a beautiful weekend. 
Sunshine, breezy days, remembering, and living.

This was the year we were finally able to attend the special Memorial Day service at our old church... and I hope that it will become a tradition for us.  The click of soldiers heels as they crossed the marble floor bearing colors, wreaths presented and smart salutes weigh heavy on a heart, but the sweet strains of patriotic songs lifted us in celebration of our beautiful nation.  And I am forever proud to see my husband stand tall as the U.S. Coast Guard verse is played...

The boy scouts helped out at the cemetery Saturday... making sure each soldier's marker was celebrated with red, white and blue.  Camden was honored to help.  We drove down later to see the flags flying in the golden sunlight... and in the quiet of the evening, we were reminded that freedom is never free.  Seeing our flag fly in the breeze moves me... seeing hundreds brought me to tears.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.
I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.

-Abraham Lincoln

happy birthday beautiful america...

The American flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American flag flies from the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it. American soldiers don't fight because they hate what's in front of them...they fight because they love what's behind them. 

-quote found through a friend who prays for her soldier every day.