Fourth Fun!

A glorious weekend with my brother, sister-in-law and niece and nephew visiting us from Tennessee. We were blessed with a cool air front that came through and dropped the temperatures to a comfortable 80 for our weekend festivities. Couldnt have been more perfect!

It was special to celebrate the 4th with my big brother who has served in the military for 17 years to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy!

Evie thinks "Ucol Ewek" (Uncle Eric) is pretty special too!

Aunt Shell made awesome pies and monkey bread for our red, white and blue brunch. Yummy!!

30 friends and family joined us for brunch to celebrate the 4th....on the 3rd:-) Boating, swimming and....

....tons of food!

America! America!

God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self control,

Thy liberty in law.

We enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display over the lake.

Evie wasnt quite sure what to think about the big "booms!"

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

We spent 5 years of 4th of July's in Ukraine where the holiday (naturally) isnt celebrated. It is so special to be surrounded by family, friends and patriots who love this country that we are blessed to call home!

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave

God bless America, Land that I love!