Celebrating our Freedom!!!

Fourth of July is always fun!!!  We gather with the same group of friends that started a long time ago.  It's an old ball team reunion and we love to be with these people!!!  This year, Merv and Marie took their turn and we all met at their house for supper on Thursday night.  There was a bad storm brewing on the way there and so we all marched into their house to eat our yummy food!  Merv made this delicious chicken on the grill, Marie added some great side dishes and the rest of us brought foods to share!  The kids always get acquainted fast each year and they too have a blast!  After supper, the storm passed and we sat around the campfire while the kids played volleyball and set up camp.  We roasted smores.  Laughed.  Watched the children play in the grass with their glow sticks and drank cold tea!!!

When it was time to leave, Matthew wanted to sleep in a tent.  Originally, the Falcons usually camped over night but now it seems like those of us that drive and live close, choose to go sleep in our beds and return the next morning for breakfast!!!  Mike and Matthew set up a tent and while the boys camped out, Hadassah and Hannah came to our house to sleep.  Ashlyn was already sleeping on her daddy lap for a few hours before getting tucked into her bed!

Morning came quick and we headed back to Merv's for breakfast.  The boys ended up on the couches inside because another rain shower brought water into their tent.  :/  It was a breezy day but the men and kids went to a nearby pond and fished while the ladies finished cleaning up the breakfast dishes.  We sat around the campfire again and later cooked hot dogs and more marshmellows.  The whole event was fun and thanks to Merv's for opening up their house even when the weather was not pleasant.

 Matthew and his friends had a blast!

 Because of these men ... we gather every 4th of July!

 Hadassah caught a fish!!!  Her and Hannah had a blast too!

Ashlyn had a bite but it got away!

Mike and I had a double date night planned for that evening and so we picked up the sitter and Matt & Marlene met us at our house.  (Mike went for a quick bike ride first.)  We went to our favorite place to eat = Bonefish Grill!!!  Again, we were not disappointed with our choices!!!  Love this place!!!  They have great food!!!!  From there we went to the theater to watch the documentary called "America the Movie".  It was inspiring and the guys walked out so pumped!!!  They want our country to turn back to God instead of allowing more sin and worldly morals to rule and they try to make a difference in their own businesses/lives!!!  From there we headed home but decided to pull off and sit on the tailgate of Matt's truck and watch for fireworks.  We saw a few and heard lots of noise and booms but ended up just laughing at our attempts and went home.  The night was great.  Thanks for being such great friends Matt and Marlene!!!

The rest of our weekend is open and I know we will have fun with the kids!!!  Maybe go swimming?  Maybe go see more fireworks?  Whatever we do ... we want to do it together! 

Let Freedom Ring!!!