*!*!*!*!* Happy 4th of July *!*!*!*!*

We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July holiday like we did today! Zoie and Grandma hung the big flag outside this morning and then Zoie got a flag more her size, and she loved them both!




It was very hot even early in the day so I took Zoie to the pool at our health club before lunch to cool both of us off and ensure that she'd take a good nap...it worked on all counts! Very refreshing! We came home and Zoie had a PB&J sandwich for lunch and then most certainly took a good nap while Grandma took a break from preparing food and I laid outside in the sun - but not for very long cuz it really was hot!

Here's me & Auntie Lindsay...



And Mommy & Gramma being silly...



And Zoie and Mommy being silly, too!!


Later , Pop-Pop Jim fired up his grill and cooked up cheeseburgers and hot dogs while Grandma put out her awesome home-made, never-duplicated pasta salad, deviled eggs, chips, pickles, fresh brewed ice tea and lemonade! Yum Yum!! My great friend and a special 'aunt' of Zoie's, Lindsay, joined us for our 4th of July meal and it was great! We all got stuffed...but later had room for Grandma's homemade brownies, Lindsay's yummy red-white-blue rice krispie treats AND...our very special cool, refreshing, revitalizing patriotic Jell-o masterpieces!

We didn't do any fireworks yet this year but watched a little on TV...maybe we'll get a few things next year, but not yet. And, if you're wondering what Indie was doing all this time...he was in hiding!! He HATES the BOOM of the fireworks and we have quite a few "neighbors" who chose to let off an abundance of very loud noisemakers!! I think Indie is much happier that this day is done!

Here are some pics we took today...don't ya love the flag as our background?!





We thank God for our freedom and that He has blessed us with so much love in the way of family & friends. We missed those who couldn't be with us today - whether it was due to distance & other commitments or because they're no longer with us on this Earth. We also looked back fondly on 4th's of the past sharing fun memories and stories. We also pray for and think of those who can't be with their families today because of their circumstances - whether they're in Iraq or wherever fighting in a catch 22 war or for whatever other reason. We thank the service personnel for all of their sacrifices to ensure that we can continue to celebrate the 4th of July as a day of Independence and Freedom. God Bless America!!