Happy 4th of July!

Mom and Dad brought back their 4th of July picnic party this year and invited the neighbors over for pot-luck picnic, games and friendly chatter. The kids had a great time with bean bags, croquet, frost your own cookie and everyone's favorite -- BINGO!

Hula Hooping with Cindy

Great Grandma got an owie, but Lyla kissed it away.

Say cheese!

Cindy looking lovely with her parasol.

It's not a summer picnic without MEAT!

The self proclaimed (by Joan) "old broads" had margaritas.

The ice cream truck was out and about -- Cindy bought Lyla a sundae cone.

Lyla took this picture of me eating it after she dropped it in the grass.

Helping Cindy unwrap her BINGO prize. Can you tell she loves hanging out with Cindy?!

Pretty girls just hanging out at Grandpa and Grandma's!

We had a great day with friends and family today. We spent the morning at home making pasta salad, then went to Matt and Sabrina's to see their new place. We took a walk to a nice park by their house and then cam back and had cold water while we watched the Gummibar song on Matt's phone. It was great to see friends -- and their place!

Next stop was Grandma's house for the big picnic. Lyla was looking forward to it all week! She had lots of fun, especially hanging out with Cindy, and was so tired by the time we left that she fell asleep in the car before we hit Ford Parkway (about 8 blocks). 

Only mishap of the day was when she fell down the front steps. She was close to the bottom and came away with only a scrape on her leg and a small bruise next to her eye, but she was quite shaken and so were the rest of us adults. When she finally calmed down and we were snuggling in the chair watching TV, I felt something in her hair and yep -- it was a wood tick. I guess that's what we get for stopping to smell the honeysuckle (on the way to the park earlier, or maybe from yesterday at Faye's?)! Grandma came to the rescue with some dish soap and soon the tick was detached and flushed away. I still feel itchy all over, but we haven't found any more. 

Always great to spend time with the family. We're all stuffed and tired after spending all afternoon outside grazing on hotdogs, fruit, chips, salads, dip, beans, cupcakes, cream puff dessert ... oh my! Now it's time to relax and watch the fireworks from the comfort of the AC. Happy 4th of July everyone!