Family Fun Filled Fourth!

Hi my friends and thanks for stopping by.

Despite the fact that we had a fire burning on the mountain just above our home we had a fabulous Fourth of July celebration.

Some families were still evacuated and firefighters were working around the clock.  However, we knew that we were in no imminent danger.  God bless those firefighters!

For more than ten years we have had a tradition of hosting a 4th of July outdoor breakfast.  Hubby was actually the one who suggested it the first time.  It was so much fun that we have carried it on every year.  Usually we have a lot of family as well as friends.  This year with everything going on I didn’t get friends called so it was just family.

Let’s see what was on the menu.

4th food

We always cook bacon, sausage, and hash browns. Hubby sets up his camp chef out on the deck and cooks eggs to order any way you like.  Each year we try something a little different.  This year we made our favorite Pecan French Toast.  My sister, Jeanne actually made two pans of it and we devoured it all. I will be sharing this yummy recipe with you when I get back from my get away with friends. Of course we had to serve something red, white, and blue.  Nothing better than juicy fruit.

Seems like every year I catch a pic of  my BIL, Reas sitting at a table with all kids.  Guess he’s just a big kid at heart.

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After our bellies are good and full it’s time to “Let The Games Begin”!

We don’t have a pool, (hint, hint, to hubby) so this will have to do.

Slip Slide

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My son brought a bigger pool also, but I guess I missed getting a pic.

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I always have a little something for the grandies.  This year it was water guns, bubbles, and a treat.

How cute is this?  Grandpa so patiently blowing bubbles for Jack and Saydee.  And look how patiently they are waiting to pop them.  Oh to be young again!

Bubble Blowing

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My handsome grandsons.

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And cute grand daughters.  The one on the left is my sisters grand daughter.

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Do you have a family tradition that you carry on each year?  I’d love hearing about it if you do.

Hope you’re having a fun summer!

Hugs,

Jann

If you haven’t linked up with Share Your Cup I would love to have you join us!  Also check out my give away on my side bar.

I will be sharing with:

How Sweet the Sound for Patriotic Pink Saturday

Little Red House for Mosaic Monday

30 comments

Susie said...

Jann, So glad you are safe. Lots of cute kids smiling...makes me think you all had a good day. We did also. Smiles, Susie

Barbara F. said...

Looks like a fun fun day. Glad the fire is not a threat any longer. Still praying for rain. All the grands are so adorable. xo

Leena Milligan Lanteigne said...

Love your outdoor breakfast tradition and the pictures of your beautiful family! We set off our own fireworks the night before, then take the grand babies to the town BIG fireworks show on the 4th, usually bbq or picnic and when we get home, we watch the Boston and NYC shows on tv while enjoying ice cream cones. I did the same with my kids when they were little so it's fun to get to do it with the grandchildren as well! Thank you for sharing your awesome day! Hugs, Leena

Little Susie Home Maker said...

Oh Jann! I live just under the Waldo Canyon Fire! We have had the most gut wrenching last two weeks! Thank God for all those hard working Firefighters. I am glad the fire over there is no threat to you. I cried as I watched our mountains aflame and the homes destroyed in my community!
Looks like you had a wonderful time on the fourth with family. I did as well. So happy and blessed to spend with so much of our family here on my five acres. We do lots and lots of food, and every one takes part. Miniature golf and basket ball, water balloons and squirt guns. Guitars and just plain old fun! It sure felt great after all the fire stress. We could cook on any open flames, and no s'mores or fireworks this year! But just good old fashioned fun! Bless you, stay safe! I will keep those firefighters in my prayers.
Blessings,
Susie

Anonymous said...

Thanks for checking in about the fires Jann. Your family has been in my family's prayers, so I'm glad to know you are all okay. Sounds like you had a fun holiday. We normally have a cookout, but with the heat and the fact my brother is coming in next week for his birthday, we decided to postpone the cookout a bit.

I laugh every time I see someone on one of those slip and slides. I really need to dig out this picture of my cousin. She had one of those, and I asked her to bring it to my house because our greenhouse was on a hill.

Did I mention there was a driveaway made of little ROCKS on the other side of the hill and they flew over on the slip and side area?

Weeeeellllll....let's just say she volunteered to go down first and the look on her face as she hit all those rocks is one I will never forget.

Call me a meanie, but it's been at least 25 years, yet I still laugh my head off at the mental image...and thank goodness my Mom captured it all on camera too!

Thanks for the laugh. Gotta go dig out my halo and angel wings and put them on now! Bet I need them after that story, huh?

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

LV said...

At least, you enjoy a big, old country style breakfast.

Linda said...

Family traditions are so important. Glad you were able to carry on with yours, even if in a limited fashion! And, glad you are still safe...you are in my prayers!

andrea@townandprairie said...

I love the idea of a 4th breakfast... it's so novel! People always BBQ, but why not have breakfast? Genius!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The fires sure have been horrendous this year. I'm glad you are alright and it looks like you had a wonderful fourth. We like to have fireworks and a big get together...but this year we weren't able to be with family. We went to a cookout here in our community though and that was fun.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Glad to hear you and your home are safe. A 4th breakfast sounds like fun - only problem is I am not a morning person. :-D
Enjoy your weekend - stay safe and cool.

Gina said...

What beautiful photos of your holiday! Your breakfast looked delicious & it looks like everyone had a wonderful time.

NanaDiana said...

Oh-It looks like you had so much fun. Your family is just darling -those kids are so so so cute. Our traditions change from time to time but I am NOT starting with brunch because they already stay 18 hours before going home! lol You are a good Mom/Gramma~ xo Diana

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

I'm glad you were safe and able to have the traditional family breakfast. That's a great idea. You little grandchildren are darling waiting for grandpa to blow bubbles.

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Jann!
I am still chuckling with your son's comment about your toe sized quilts! Leave it to a fella to come up with something so practical and so funny!
Oh...you have a wonderful family! You all looked like you were having such a good time! And, what a delightful patriotic table you set, my friend! All that red, white and blue just makes my mouth water...not to mention the delicasies that you all enjoyed!
Have a fun trip to Oregon...The weather here in Oregon is much cooler these days than it is in Utah.
Blessings and safe travel, my sweet new friend!
Carolynn x x x

Heirloom treasures said...

Looks like you had a great time. Lovely pics. x

Cynthia said...

It looks like it was a great day and everyone seems to be having a lot of fun.

Cynthia

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

Looks like u had a ball! Family time is the best! I had been thinking about u with the fires, glad all is ok.
We usually go to my cousins, they have a huge 4th party but we weren't up for a 2 hr drive home late at night when I had to get up at 4am the next day. We hibernated inside from the heat, just the 2 of us.

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

Hi Jann,

Neat post- what a great tradition! Your hubs is cute, too!

Your grandies are beautiful.

Our tradition used to be going back home to go to the Erie Islands - lots of beach, boat, skiing, island hopping, some drinking, and then watch fireworks.

Now that I am older I tend to stay more quietly at home.....with this house we're in now every Saturday before July 4th my town here has a big Festival....and on Saturday they blow off their fireworks, which you can see perfectly well - only a mile away - from my back deck and patio.

SO we get the comfort from home and not even have to leave the house.

THIS year was weird b/c we had no power...........and it was sooooooo hot..........so I just sat in my kitchen and watched. It was pretty but odd this year.

Anyway, that's about it - glad you have a fun tradition. If July wasn't so hot all the time I would love to try something like your brunch idea, but, alas, it just gets too hot to wanna even try it.

Rose L said...

glad to see you had fun despite the fires!

debra said...

Such a fun day!


I have nominated you for the “Versatile Blogger Award”
Info about this award nomination can be found here
http://www.thehomespun.com/nominated-for-the-versatile-blogger-award/

I really enjoy and appreciate your blog : )

craftmates said...

Hi Jann,

I'm glad you had a great 4th of July weekend.

Lovely photos!

Virna

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a beautiful family, Jann! I love your breakfast tradition on the 4th. I look forward to your pecan French toast recipe. YUM!

Micupoftea said...

Beautiful family, yummy looking food! What a fun idea to have breakfast alfresco. It wouldn't work in our household...we have a teen who doesn't wake up before 11 a.m.~ lol!
Have a great week, Jann :)
Shawn

eileeninmd said...

What a great time for the family, lots of food and fun. I know everyone there appreciates the hard working firefighters. I am glad you were safe, it all sounds very scary and sad for those who lost their homes. Your post and photos are great. Thanks for sharing.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Such fun you all had!!! Ours was a too-hot-to-do-anything 4th of July so we stayed indoors and were grateful nonetheless for the holiday and what it means to us!!! Have a wonderful week! Cathy

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Looks like a great day with fun all around. Scary to hear of wildfires so close. Valerie

GranthamLynn said...

What a great time you had. Great photo's and mosaics. I wish I had been there! Thanks for sharing you day. I shared a make believe picnic today!
Have a Blessed Week,
Sherry

Fran said...

So glad that you are safe and were able to enjoy your 4th of July celebration with your beautiful family. That breakfast spread is amazing! I'm looking forward to when you share that Pecan french toast recipe! :) --Fran

Pondside said...

It looks like you had a wonderful day - pool or no pool!

debra said...

ah this is sweet :)

Reminds me of my grandson last year LEARNING to blow bubbles and half of the time he had the blower right up to his mouth and was practically eating them

Looks like you had a wonderful family celebration, making memories for the young ones down the line..

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