AMAZING.......What an amazing day the 4th was. Perfect weather, family time, and probably the most complete 4th of July family celebration EVER!!! Actually had a sleep over at my brother's house. I always decline this invite of sleeping over because, I live only 34 minutes away and what to do with the Mesa. In my house, Mesa is the baby and sleeps inside in her own room. 
At my brother's house, Mesa is a DOG and sleeps outside with her cousin dog (another Golden Retriever) Summer, pictured at left. The pups have fun playing with each other, but Mesa seems to want to be inside at night. Amazingly, Mesa survived (as did I) her sleepover outside. Early morning we all headed out to see the balloon festival and a pancake breakfast. I had to remind myself that the pancake breakfast was for charity..... not the greatest eats.
At my brother's house, Mesa is a DOG and sleeps outside with her cousin dog (another Golden Retriever) Summer, pictured at left. The pups have fun playing with each other, but Mesa seems to want to be inside at night. Amazingly, Mesa survived (as did I) her sleepover outside. Early morning we all headed out to see the balloon festival and a pancake breakfast. I had to remind myself that the pancake breakfast was for charity..... not the greatest eats.After heading back to the house and a nap (hey, we were up late the previous night and up early for the balloons!) we were off to see, Ratatouille in an air conditioned theatre. The movie is highly recommended.... so go see it.
Then... the celebration that surpasses all other 4th of July celebration. As most know, I am first generation Norwegian and the 4th of July is a "new" holiday for my parents and aunts and uncles. So when my brother's neighbor invited us to be part of their All American celebration. I finally got to experience what all this 4th of July hoopla was all about.
FOOD. FAMILY. FUN.
My brother's backyard backs up to the neighbor's backyard..... sans no fence. Nothing but an acre of green grass, with room to run. Above is the centerpiece of all 8 tables. I had to take a picture because it was so cute and I need to remember this idea for when I host my turn at my dinner club, Gourmet Club. The cloth was a yard of denim with a bandanna in the center, flags, Mason jar, and unshelled peanuts. Simple idea but so cute!!!!
FOOD....FOOD..... FOOD.
Ribs, in all it's glory. Rumor has it that 140 lbs of these babies were bought and lovingly tended to by the "men" of the family. Slow roasting, basting, and crisping.... BaaBaQUE!!! I did not think to grab a picture of the overflowing platter until after the first servings went through. I will attest that I have never seen so many ribs in one place. The smell was heavenly.
Ribs, in all it's glory. Rumor has it that 140 lbs of these babies were bought and lovingly tended to by the "men" of the family. Slow roasting, basting, and crisping.... BaaBaQUE!!! I did not think to grab a picture of the overflowing platter until after the first servings went through. I will attest that I have never seen so many ribs in one place. The smell was heavenly. 
SIDES.....
Salads..... fruit, bacon broccoli, spinach/strawberry, chipolte pasta with add-ons, red potato salad. Roasted chipolte corn on the cob. Rolls. Baked beans (we brought that). Homemade root beer.
Dessert????? Brownies.... plain and rocky road. Cookies of all varieties. Ice Cream.
Running around in all this fun, were the kiddos in swim suits..... Slip and slide and make your own water slide out of the swing set.
To end the evening, fireworks...... enough were brought by everyone that this part lasted for a long time.
THIS TRULY WAS WHAT I WOULD DEEM MY IDEA OF A PERFECT NORMAN ROCKWELL 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION!!!
10 comments:
The weather here on the 4th SUCKED, but I did get to see Ratatouille, which I found really well made!
Stephanie
forksandchopsticks.wordpress.com
Fun post! Glad you had a good time :)
YUM! YUM! YUM!!
I'm so glad you had a fabulous time!
Glad you had such fun - sounds like it was perfect! Such a generous neighbor.
Alyson
LID 01/27/06
Im so glad you had a good time!
Loved reading all your new posts. Your daughter has so much fun and FOOD to look forward to with her whole extended family. What a blessing. I love the stuff your niece picked out in Cabo. So glad you are having fun and enjoying everything.
Welcome home! What a great 4th celebration!
Keep smilin!
Hmm! We had ribs for 4th of July too! It's a perfect way to celebrate! Glad to hear you had such a great time!!!
Mmmm. Now I'm hungry...again! Glad Mesa survived the sleepover. My girls would've howled all night at even the thought of a night outdoors! Our babies are so spoiled! =)
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