It was a hot day so lots of folks hit the water...many just kept a low profile and exchanged stories as some family members we only see at this time of year. My brother-in-law lead us in saying grace before the meal begins, Ray and Randy led us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Loretta sang the song she wrote titled "America". Patriotic music filled the air during the day and was really cranked up when the fireworks started...during the fireworks Donna signed all the words to each song...she did a wonderful job...her signing was lyrical and beautiful as the music played. Simply said - A Perfect Day!!!!!
The annual group photo at the flag pole...
Patriotic decorations hang from the canopy...in the background Ed and Lisa off to hit the water...
Kayla brought a couple of friends...what a super photos...love Kayla's tee...
Emi and Nattie ready to jump in...both girls took off their life jackets this year and started swimming under water...another generation of family waterbugs hits the pond!!!!!
Husband pointing something out in a photo to Bill...a deep conversation which lead to me losing a bet....
Three generations of women...Loretta (mother and grandmother), Melanie (daughter and mother) and Kayla (daughter and granddaughter)...
Brittney and Nattie...love this photo
This year's grill masters...the husband and wife team of Layne and Whitney...thanks for manning the grill guys!!!!!
This picture of cousins...Randy, Brittney and Seth needs no explanation...
New family members...love their curly hair...absolutely adorable
Talk, talk, talk...
Aunt Whitney and Nattie...
Brittney leaving the day cabin to pass out the annual shortcake treats...Brit and Seth made many trips with boxes loaded and returned with empties...the ladies worked an assembly line inside putting the shortcakes together with homemade cakes, blueberries and strawberries topped with whipped cream...these patriotic desserts are always a hit!
Caleb and Jesseca (niece) were here this year...so good to have them here...Jess spent many a summer day here when she was just a kid...she would fish all day and I couldn't get her to take a 5 minute break to eat...she not only caught fish...she would name them and keep them in buckets...at some point she could "tell" by their eyes they needed to go back in the water at which time she would throw them back in...she learned to take them off the hook because I refused to and told her to wait for her father when he picked her up in the evening...no way would she wait that long so she learned all by herself...good for her good for me....
More talk, talk, talk...
Randy crowned "Pond King" with a pond weed tiara!!!!!
This outfit on Olivia leaves me at a loss for words....a fashion statement for sure just don't know what it says...for her Mom (my niece Sandie) I am sure it said safety...but everyone else who saw it stopped in their tracks...they took a long long look, then looked around to see what someone was thinking...an exchange of OMG via eyes was made, followed by a good hearted laugh and a "she is going to flip when she sees this picture when she is older and say what was my mother thinking?!"
Nephew Herbie and brother-in-law Mark chit chatting...Herbie trying to cool off by pressing a cold soda can to his cheek...
Fire in the hole....
No couch potatoes here...but there are plenty of float potatoes especially on this hot, hot day...
The bonfire kept low early in the evening for the kids to toast marshmallows to eat plain or to make a s'more...I love this time of night...watching the kids toasting and taking orders from the grownups...someone always remembers to burn one for me...love that marshmallow char!!!!!
Enjoying shortcakes....
Olivia checking out the boom booms...
My hubby Robert and his sister Loretta found a good spot to view the fireworks....the Pond Association had a great show this year...
A beautiful aerial display....
"Bombs bursting in air"
The campfire cranks up....
Getting ready for the final, earth shaking blast...a great way to sign off from another wonderful, fabulous, fun filled, heart warming celebration of our country's Independence Day...Elizabeth
The flag pole has a new coat of paint and new flags hang. Old flags are ceremoniously burned each year. Bought some grass that looks like sparklers...love them at the base of the pole. This is an old wooden porch column that we painted, drilled holes in for the flags and topped with a gold painted eagle. This is where the group photo is taken every year...love looking at the old ones and look forward to the new one to add to the album.
Our niece Sandie and the kids gave us these towels at Christmas...so they hang off an old vintage wooden canoe towel holder in the day cabin...absolutely love these things...leave it to Sandie to find them...she has an eye for the unusual!!!!!
Chairs and benches are placed about for sitting, resting and of course napping....
The wood pile is ready for the bonfire...everyone on the pond has them along their beach fronts...gorgeous as the sun goes down and dark overtakes the daylight...fires glowing against the water with the smell of wood floating in the air. Around 9:30PM the pond association sponsors a fireworks display. Boats filled with families slowly make their way to a favorite spot for viewing. We fortunately just line our lawn chairs up and look to the clear skies. We play patriotic music full blast over a super sized sound system and everyone sings "This Land is Your Land", "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America". We include lots of marches as well...a neighbor down the pond always says her favorite is hearing Kate Smith!
