Happy July 4th: FMM Style

Happy Monday!  As most Mondays, we get together in Bloggy land and celebrate Friend Makin' Monday.  Kasey began FMM a few months ago and has become a fun highlight of the week!  Go here to learn more about it.  This week, Shawn from SERIOUSLY! is hosting it.  And out topic???  Why of course...Independence Day!!!

Most in my family know that I love all things 4th of July- I love red, white, & blue.  I love getting together with family.  I love 4th of July BBQ's.  I love the fireworks shows (I always get teary-eyed!).  And I love the camaraderie of the country coming together to celebrate it's birth.

This week Shawn asked us to share our Independence Day fun:

What are you doing this July 4th?

   Independence Day is always spent with friends & family.  For many years, we got together with family and spent time at the lake: boating, eating, fireworks, & fun.  The past couple of years, we have done a few different things:  travel to St. Louis to visit Aunt Ginger, attend family camp at Cascades Camp in Washington where my sweet brother, Chris, worked for many years, and celebrate with dear friends in our new home.  This year, we plan on going out to the lake again with family.  Grandma & PaPa, brothers, and niece & nephew will be joining us for boating, games, eating, and fun!!  Ian's first Independence Day!!

What is your favorite dish to pass when attending a 4th of July BBQ?

For years, I have made a 4th of July jello trifle with strawberry and blue raspberry jello, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and pound cake.  It was light and fluffy and delicious.  But I think I ODed everyone on it. No one asks for it anymore.....

Do you have any 4th of July traditions?

I think I mentioned this before- just spending good time with family.  My favorite place to be is on the lake, so I am excited to be going there this year!!

Share your favorite Independence Day photos.  

What?  Me share pics?  Ok, I guess.  But it is going to be hard to pick just ONE!!

This is BK (before kiddos) at my Aunt's lakehouse for July 4th fun- I'm the one in the middle with sunglasses on and no hair - we had spent the day on the lake and wanted a goofy picture.  I love that my Aunt (blonde in front) has a "yup, I'm related to this crazy family" look on her face!

And here are my favorites of the kiddos:

Last year, Morganne & her friend, ChellBell entered the neighborhood 4th of July parade and won 1st place for their "Little Miss Independence" float.  So cute!!

And lastly, a little Independence Day quiz for us:

1. How many stars are on the American Flag?  50

2. What do they stand for?  The fifty states of America

3. How many stripes are on the flag?  13

4. What do they stand for?  The original 13 colonies that formed America

5. How many stripes are red? 7

6. The first stripe is what color? red

7. Who sewed the American Flag?  Betsy Ross- but I have heard that is folklore.....

******50 States Challenge Update!!******

We are only one week into our challenge to collect as many postcards from the states as possible and we have received 2 cards in the mail already!!!

We really need help in the eastern states- New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine...anyone have friends there that can help us out??

If you are interested in helping my sweet kiddos collect postcards from all 50 states, please go here to learn more about it. And to those of you who have sent cards or are planning to, Thank you!!!