The 4th of July

This morning I was up early to go to my moms for breakfast.  And not just any breakfast.  Awesome breakfast.  All my brothers and sisters came and I loved watching all the kids play together.  We had a party last night, one this morning and one more tonight before we are done celebrating Independence Day.  Here are some pictures from this morning.

Three almost 8 year olds,  five and a half year old, one almost five year old, one nearly three year old, a two and a half year old and a one year old.  Total mayhem.

I made the bunting on the fence for my mom yesterday.   It was ridiculously easy.  And red, white and blue bunting makes any old breakfast a party, right?

Oh, and fireworks.  Because fireworks at breakfast is important, ya’ll.  My grandpa’s birthday was on the 4th of July, and when my mom was a little girl they would always have cantelope at breakfast, with sparklers,to celebrate.  And seriously, can you go wrong with sparklers at breakfast?  No.  You can not.

This is my patriotic contribution.  I found the rectangle tray at a thrift store weeks ago and this morning I was so happy I had shelled out the fifty cents.  It was the perfect size!

My non patriotic contribution was three big pitchers of fresh squeezed orange juice.  I still can’t get over the deliciousness.

My mom woke up at 4:30 to make her legendary cinnamon rolls.  I tried to convince her to triple the frosting just this once, but she was not listening.

And because my family is awesome (and man should not live by bread alone) we also made two dutch ovens full of baked potato/egg/sausage casserole too.  We had 22 people for breakfast, and there was very little leftover.  And that is how you know it was a successful party.

Creamie and her cousins.  This might be a new favorite picture.  And maybe we’ll get ourselves organized enough to do it more often.  Because seriously, how cute are these kids.

My almost five year old niece was wearing the cutest pair of red boots ever.  I can’t wait for Creamie to grow into them!  Every kid needs a pair of red boots, right?

I had a great time with my family this morning, and I can’t wait to do it all over again soon.  This last picture is the view I grew up with in my small town.  I looked out our dining room window at these mountains every morning.  They always feel like home.  And today I am particularly grateful for my family and my home.  I am grateful for my country, and all those who have sacrificed to keep it the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Happy 4th of July (or you know, just a regular old Monday.)