Happy Fourth of July, my friends! I hope you celebrate in your favorite way. We began our celebration last night at Nicolas and Madison's beautiful home! Peyton and Chris are here for a bit, so I have all my people together for a few days! Yesterday began like this. The beach was calm and quiet, preparing for the crowds and chaos that were yet to come.
After I went to the pool for my swim and exercise time, showered, and rested, we got ready to go to Madison's for dinner. I made a pan of brownies to bring. She had it decorated so festively, and she and Nicolas did a fantastic job of hosting.
She had delicious snacks and decorations set out. We visited, snacked, and took pictures, and for some reason, when I saw this one, I thought to myself, " Those are my children! I did that! " I think of them as small, you know. And probably always will. We were missing Rhett, who was working, because. Well, adult.
Nicolas grilled hot dogs, and Madison made her special potato salad, along with a fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil salad. Delicious!
We sat outside to watch the stunning sunset and then went back inside for dessert. Madison had a brownie and ice cream sundae bar!
Then, Steve, Flynn, and I went back to our house to pick up the pups before heading back into town, where I had to snap this picture in the sweater Madison got Flynn for no other reason than it appears to have Marty on the front!
We came back to the condo, and I went straight to wash my face, brush my teeth, and put on some jammies! Flynn and Steve stay up later, and I am the earlier riser. Hence, I see things like this.
And I love it. Have a wonderful day, my friends. No matter if you enjoy a good old-fashioned cookout, or a quiet day inside, safe and sound from the heat or the rain watching fireworks on television, enjoy. Too often, we have an image in our minds of what certain days are supposed to look like. We feel pressured to achieve that preconceived notion and feel less than if we fall short of it. Show yourself grace, and let go of all that. You do you, my friends! Happy Fourth of July!
Billie Jo
It sounds & looks like your holiday weekend is off to a smashing start, Billie Jo. Nicolas & Madison made everything so nice for their guests! Beautiful. Continue to have a wonderful time. Happy 4th! Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth! Everything looks so lovely and nothing beats family time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect evening! I'm glad you got that time together. Enjoy today!
ReplyDeletePS- Flynn's sweater is perfect!
Sounds like a great evening! Hope you have a wonderful 4th!
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July, my friend. smiles
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth of July 🇺🇸 to you, Billie Jo. Thank you for the bit about feeling less when we fall short of “what a holiday is supposed to be like”.
ReplyDeleteMary in OK
Happy 4th to you and yours! I enjoyed visiting here today, and always love your photos. God bless America!!
ReplyDeleteYou all had a wonderful day. Madison's photo is the most beautiful. Hugs BillieJo. God's abundant blessings to the entire family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful celebration you had! Your daughters are so beautiful! And your shot of the sky is GORGEOUS!!!! Happy 4th, my friend!
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the kids. So fun.. Your spread looks like ours! Have a great 4th!
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo, thank you so much for your last meaningful paragraph. Happy 4th to you and yours! Marta
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable post, beautiful family, stunning sunrise, but also I love your admonition for us to show ourselves some grace. While we need to be humble and not demand of others, we all still need to be good to ourselves. Thank you for that. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your photos of all the food and fun! Celebrations with family are so special. I especially smiled over your beach photo. I am so wanting to spend some time at the beach. Sigh. That's what I get for moving from Florida to Tennessee! Have a happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteThe last thing you said is something I felt deeply and I thank you for reminding me to have grace. On days like today, when we are sitting at home doing nothing while the neighbors are blaring music while hosting bbq's I wonder if I'm failing as a mom since I'm not providing my kids with that kind of fun. We used to, but this year I just wasn't feeling it. But anyway, I love all your pictures. Hope you and you family are having the best Independence Day !!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great time. Happy 4th.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are off on a rousting 4th of July celebration. Love the cute decorating ideas your hostess put together for your snacking. So often the younger set doesn't have the skills or the interest for entertaining proper.. did I just say that? hehe. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
ReplyDeleteOh! It looks like you all had a Wonderful 4th! That view is absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
That sounds like a wonderful evening spent with family! I loved that dog sweater before I even realized the image on the sweater matched Marty.
ReplyDeleteThat's a glorious sunrise. Happy Fourth, Billie Jo! Xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time with your family. I love how you love each other. We spent a very quiet day at home. In fact, I wore jammies all day! We watched the National 4th of July show on PBS and enjoyed it all immensely.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
Looks like a wonderful time! Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend.
ReplyDeleteBillie Jo....you have such a cute family and it is so neat all the things that you all plan together. Great foods, great times, and just enjoying the love you all have for one another....all of this can be seen in these photos....
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful day! Happy Fourth!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fantastic time! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute sweater!! Glad you had a nice time celebrating!
ReplyDeleteI often copy and paste some of the vintage pictures you share, especially this one, which reminds me of my young son. You had such a wonderful day, and all the food looks delicious. There's nothing like hot dogs and homemade potato salad. Your words are so special at the end, and you're right.....we go through many stages in our life, sometimes it's filled, sometimes it's quiet, sometimes it's joyful, sometimes it's dysfunctional haha, but it's all Ok, cause we look back at all these moments, and realize how blessed we really are. You are wise to know these things, my friend. And your writing flows like silk. : )
ReplyDelete~Sheri