Happy 4th of July

Don't you just love this holiday? It makes me really miss growing up in Spokane and heading out to the lake for fireworks. Today we'll be road-trippin' it to my Aunt Cindy and Uncle Keven's before we continue on to Oregon to visit my parents for about a week. We should see tons of fireworks on the drive to Lancaster tonight.

Here's one of my favorite patriotic moments; I bet a lot of you remember this too. I just love how she makes us believe that she's singing full out, when really she is being so reserved in the beginning. Then "And the rocket's red glare" comes and she starts really belting it out, with a knowing smile after the line. Love it. Do you have a favorite patriotic moment, or a favorite song for the 4th of July? If so, what it is?

Camping Trip To Lake Arrowhead, Part Two

In keeping with my love for cooking, we planned a great menu for our trip:

Light Arrival Dinner:

Cheesy Campfire Dip with Veggies and Grilled Garlic Baguette Slices (in the family cookbook)

Breakfast:

Aunt Cindy's Ziploc Omlettes (yes, it really works), Toast, French Pressed Coffee and OJ

Dinner:

Burgers with Crockpot Peach Cobbler for Dessert

The party planner in me is coming out, and I'm going to try to organize a first annual "Camping Cook-Off" competition-slash-fun getaway weekend with friends.  Everyone would get assigned a different meal, and then we'd judge them on creativity, taste and presentation.  The winner will get a goudy trophy and bragging rights for the next year, and all of us will get to enjoy a fun weekend with good friends and great food.  Sounds like fun to me!  It's just an idea right now, but I hope it works out for August!!

Camping Trip To Lake Arrowhead, Part One

A few weeks ago, the whole fam packed up the truck and headed to beautiful Lake Arrowhead for a couple days of camping.  Dallas saw us packing up, and wanted to make certain that we didn't leave her behind:

Rolland was able to get three days off during the week to go.  It worked out perfectly since by avoiding the weekend rush, the normally full-to-capacity campsite was relatively empty.

The next day we headed out to Lake Gregory for the day.

Bo especially enjoyed the lake:

 We also made a GREAT camping menu... but that's another blog post I'll save for "Camping Trip To Lake Arrowhead, Part Two"!

Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is the special day in which the entire nations says to its fathers, "Thank you for all the important contributions you are making."  Thanks to all the wonderful Dads in our lives!  Check out some of our favorite posts from the Inspiration Page on some pretty remarkable fathers, you won't regret taking the time:

Dick & Rick Hoyt

Patrick Henry Hughes

Happy Birthday Peggy!

Today is my lovely Mother-In-Law's birthday, and does she ever look great!

She said on Facebook that her co-worker's were helping her count down the days!

Wishing you all great things in this upcoming year, and hope this day will bring you an extra share of all that makes you happiest.

Updates From April: Stagecoach

Rolland and I LOVE when Stagecoach, a country music festival held just a couple blocks from our house at the Empire Polo Field, rolls into town.  Stagecoach rolls through town right after Coachella Fest with a killer line-up of country super stars, and we always have a great time.  This year we went on Sunday, thanks once again to the backstage passes we got from Chris and Janelle (thanks guys!).

We tailgated in the back of the Chevy during Heidi Newfield:

...then headed in for Jason Aldean.  As we were walking in, he played one of our FAVORITE songs, Big Green Tracker. 

I have been loving the song's lyrics because of late Rolland and I have been cutting out the fancy vacations and pricey dinners in an attempt to keep it simpler.  I love the lyric, "as long as I'm with you, it really don't matter." (Love my husband if you can't tell.)  I love She's Country too.

We spent some time backstage...

 

I was so excited about getting to see country icons Brooks & Dunn, who are retiring this year. 

If you are a country fan, make sure to tune into CBS for their "Last Rodeo" tribute concert tonight.  Towards the end of the night we made our way into the crowd to see from the front...

The night ended with Toby Keith.  We love country and we LOVE STAGECOACH!!

Happy Birthday Jeanette!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday, so I asked Rolland to write a couple sentences for the blog on why she is so special.  Here's what he wrote:

"She is ALWAYS there for me and loves me no matter what. She is

selfless. I mostly appreciate my mom's unwavering faith in me."

Happy Birthday from us, Jeanette! 

We hope you have a GREAT day and an even better year.