Welp, we’ve been crazy busy over here these past couple of weeks and I’ve had absolutely zero time to blog, so I’ll be spending the week catching up on posting and blog reading. I did, however, clean and clean some more before we hosted our Fourth of July party AND I’ve continued my decluttering journey! I’m so excited to share some more of the process with all of you!
We had the best Fourth of July weekend and I’m here to document it so that it stays nice and tucked away here on the blog.
FRIDAY
On Friday, July 1st, our first guests arrived, our friends Matt, Alecia and their daughters Mia and Evelyn. We made sure to get on the boat immediately, knowing full well rain was in the forecast.
This picture cracks me up because Jane wanted a ride, so it slowed down the fun for a few minutes…
As the day progressed our friends, Beardo and Kati, Nick, Angie, Josh and Christina and their kids, Sophia and Reid, all arrived.
It started to rain, but it turned out to be great as all the adults were able to sit on our back screened-in porch and catch up on life. Most of us went to high school together and some of our guests Jon and I have known since elementary school, so it was a little surreal to see some people whom we hadn’t seen in twelve years or so…since before we all had kids.
Later in the evening, the rain cleared and we were able to roast up some s’mores.
SATURDAY
Everyone had a nice relaxing Saturday morning. Jon had made a quiche, lots of doughnuts were up for grabs and there was coffee galore!
Every morning there were people out in the driveway either playing basketball, playing pickle ball, riding bikes and/or Segways and Jane was constantly driving around her “Anna Go” car…
Jon was rocking his mustache…
I got in a quick run, as did a couple other ladies.
Also, I put up a poll on IG of whether or not Jon should keep the ‘stache and the results came in at 72% of people in favor of Jon rocking it for life! LOL!
I’m a hot, sweaty mess in this picture, but I was digging the mustache so I needed a pic. 😉
Beardo came out of the bedroom wearing this! The day was DEFINITELY off to a GREAT start!!!! Haha!
There was a boat parade at 11:00. It was a little different this year, but the parade was longer and there were free shirts and lots of candy thrown out of boats in waterproof bags! The kids had a blast swimming out to the boats and retrieving their goodie bags!
Jane showing Mr. Nick all of her candy…
Later in the day, and after nap time, we hosted a scavenger hunt for all the kids…
In the end, Beardo was the final clue and he possessed a bag of matching t-shirts that I had ordered for all the kiddos…
Jane and I got in some puppy cuddles with Rudolph (Josh and Christina’s dog)…
Beardo won the award for “Best Dressed!”
Betsy Ross approved! Hahaha!
Beardo’s wife, Kati, made these AMAZING hamburger cookies sans sesame due to Jane’s allergy…
The view…
Another view…
At once point our friends, Nelson and Anna and their kids, Lucas, Leah and Colby arrived.
Anna and I decided to go swimming with our margaritas and all the wives joined in! Jon and Matt kept the margaritas coming via Matt making them and Jon kayaking them out to us. BAHAHA! It was simply amazing!
We had so much fun! At one point my amazing neighbor, Amy, and her party arrived via float raft and paddle boat and joined us in consuming lake margaritas! Seriously, SO FUN!!!
The kids played on the inflatable slip n’ slide!
Then it was time for the adults to take a turn! Hahaha!
We split up into teams and had flippy cup waiting for us at the end!
This was either a parenting win or a parenting fail, but everyone was just having so much fun and the kids were cheering us on. Soooo……
The weather continued to cooperate and we had a beautiful night for a bonfire…
SUNDAY
On Sunday, the kids played basketball…
Utilized the Segways…
Had more fun on the slip n’ slide…
The guys played basketball…
The girls crafted lightning bug houses…
I managed to snap a quick picture with Jane…
She was looking so cute…
Lots of boat rides…
…and lots of kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming…
The kids set up a spa day…
I arrived early, but there was a client finishing up – so funny and cute!
Jane joined in on the action…
Josh had to take a spot for someone else, so he was my spa buddy! Hahaha!
Throughout the day lots of our guests headed home. We still had two families staying with us for the night so we headed down to another lake about 15 minutes away for dinner.
My drink line up… Hahaha!
We came back to the house and enjoyed a fireworks display by our friend, Josh, but also by our neighbors next door and some neighbors down the road.
Sparklers for the win!
Jon busted out the telescope, too!
MONDAY
The next day I found myself wearing sunglasses in the house whilst consuming all the caffeine.
We were left with one friend at this point. One other family went to visit their dad/father-in-law in East Lansing and then they came back later in the day and another mom took her kids to her parent’s house for them to stay for a few days before heading back to Illinois. It was a nice little break for us to put the house back together (although everyone helped so much that there honestly wasn’t much to do) and we used the time to rest.
Case in point…
We all perked back up for dinner and enjoyed the inflatable that was still at our house – we only paid for one day, but to our utter surprise our friends who, own the company, let us keep it all weekend! They’re AMAZING!
Eliza was living her best life!
We all settled in the for night, some local friends joined us to watch the fireworks and everyone was drinking water…lots and lots of water. Haha!
The fireworks did not disappoint!
Everyone left to go to bed as soon as the fireworks ended. I indulged in all the food right before hitting the hay…
TUESDAY
After the last of our guests left on Tuesday, Jon headed to work and I…well…I had to work my way through Eliza’s hair. We were so busy all weekend and my mom brain just wasn’t thinking to braid her hair…or brush it. Omg, you guys. This took FOREVER to get through. Eliza and I both learned a lesson about hair over that weekend. YIKES!
MUUUUUUUUUUUCH BETTER!
We had the very best time! The weather was fantastic and the company was spectacular!
Cheers (with water) for lots of happy friendship memories!
Thanks as always for stopping by!
Marie 🙂
I’m linking up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday.
3 Comments
Oh my gosh what a blast! Thanks for sharing all of your 4th fun – I cracked up at the pic of you in your sunglasses indoors- ha! Holly @ Pink Lady (Google is not signing me in right now and not sure why)
Oh my gosh what a blast! Thanks for sharing all of your 4th fun – I cracked up at the pic of you in your sunglasses indoors- ha! Holly @ Pink Lady (Google is not signing me in right now and not sure why)
Wow, what a fun and sunny 4th of July. The patriotic outfits looked great!
Ruth
https://playworkeatrepeat.com
Well y'all just had the best week ever!! I'm cracking up so hard about the boys kayaking the margs out to all of you girls. That is HILARIOUS.