4th of July 2018

So my favorite holiday of the year was smack dab in the middle of the week this year.   I keep thinking, though, that next year, since it will be on a Thursday...it will be the perfect start to a long weekend!!  Anyway, we had so much fun around home...here is what our day looked like.....

We started off by getting some things ready for dinner...some of our besties were coming over and I like to prep in advance, throughout the day, so I am not stressed when they get there.....

I prepped three side dishes- my caprese salad, 

a red white and blue fruit salad 

and this sweet potato salad that was delish.  You can find the recipe HERE

  

Then while everyone was still sleeping, I cleaned up the kitchen and enjoyed some reading...my first book for July is Elin Hilderbrand's new novel, her first murder mystery, The Perfect Couple- so far so great per usual!

oh and that centerpiece in the background?  I made it!  Got the idea on Pinterest and went to town! :)

I then ran to the coffee shop to grab muffins for the fam and my friend Jess was behind me in line so we actually got to see each other on the 4th- so fun :)

Once everyone was up and fed, Daddy cut the lawn and then we went to visit Grammy.  This was her first birthday in heaven and it is still so hard.  We brought some pretty flowers and later on my father in law actually planted them in the ground so they will last longer :)

After our little visit, we did a few errands and headed home to relax.  We also stopped by Golden Brook School to see the construction progress...I snapped a few pics...as exciting as it is...it will also be sad when the old building is no longer

I was sooo in my happy place when I found this new channel "Pop" because they are doing 90210 marathons so I snuck a few episodes in and just chilled...we all did...we actually switched between the Red Sox game, Wimbledon and 90210....nothing says 4th of July like Beverly Hills ;)

Oh and Lea made me become obsessed with these American Eagle jeans....so excited...got them in two colors!  You can find them HERE

I was doing a happy dance when I put them on because for the first time in awhile, I saw progress!!

and of course the patriotic nails are still in full effect;)

Selfie Time!

 and a little while later, it was time for the festivities.....

We started with some apps, Matt's mom's awesome taco dip, a cheese board and these wonderful cilantro, crab and corn stuffed sweet peppers.  Find the recipe HERE

and then for the main event, lobsters with butter, corn on the cob, cornbread, Beth Ann's delicious gluten free cornbread

and all of the sides I made that morning...

We devoured everything...so yummy and so perfect for the 4th!

After dinner, it was time for BA and the fam to teach our fam the game of Marbles...we had SO MUCH FUN!!  I haven't laughed that hard in sooo long...such good therapy.....we had so much fun we decided to play another game instead of heading to the fireworks across town....such a great problem :)

 

and that's a wrap....we crawled into bed so wiped out and so grateful....what were you up to?

TBB Asks: July Edition

Another fun survey from TBB...it's my favorite time of year so I decided to participate.

Linking up HERE 

1. Will you go on a summer vacation this year?

Well we are doing weekends and long weekends and most around New England per usual.  As we say, there is no better place to be in the summer than New England- we have the best of everything- the ocean and beaches, the lake, Boston....yep...why go elsewhere?  We already did last weekend in Rye and Portsmouth- the perfect mix of beach and city....we also plan on going to our friends Lake House up at Lake Winnipesaukee....plenty of concerts in the city this year and as much beach time as possible!

2. Do nothing but relax or pack it all in vacation?

Hmmm...maybe a little of both?  We love relaxing but we try to see many things too...I am always on the go and find it very hard to slow down :)

3. What Month do you like to vacation?

 July is probably my favorite

4. Cruise yes or no?

Probably no...just wasn't a huge fan of the one cruise I have taken

5. Favorite Vacation Tradition

Toss up- beach time and a road trip

We have found with our kids that half of the adventure is the road trip itself and not even the destination- plenty of laughs and memories to last a lifetime!

6. Most Memorable Vacation

Can't just pick one- all special for different reasons

7. Pack light or pack it all?

This one made me chuckle...my husband was horrified last weekend when we went to Portsmouth for the two weekend days and I had a full size suitcase...as I always tell him, "I need options!"

8. Hotel, condo or house?

Love them all but I love all the amenities of a hotel :)

9. Favorite Things to Eat on Vacation?

Fish...always

10. Warm or Cold Destinations?

WARM....all...year...long! :)

Can't wait to read your choices!

 

4th Of July Weekend 2018

So...it's an odd one this year....the 4th of July is on Wednesday....so....did most people celebrate last weekend?  Or will most celebrate next weekend?  Will they take Thursday and Friday off?  Hmmm...strange...anyway...we celebrated this past weekend with my parents for our annual trip to a local beach town.

This year we went to our old favorite Portsmouth...Mama's favorite town in America!

Portsmouth has the best of everything...it is a city with lots to do...with a small town feel...lots of culture...and great restaurants AND it is right on the water...

We started by hitting the beach in the next town over...Wallis Sands State Park in Rye...pure bliss...crazy waves (we actually watched two boogie boarders get rescued...so so scary)...perfect walk out to the jettie...dance parties...lots of refreshing time in the water and lots of sun...we are experiencing a heat wave here in New England and Mama is in her happy place!!

 There was pool time!

We hit up one of our favorites back in Portsmouth- Poco's which is an awesome cantina with the best margaritas you will ever have!

and the yummiest fish tacos...yummo!

and we took some family shots down by the water....

We enjoyed Diana's Voice Recital in Nashua...she made us so proud!  Before the recital, we had dinner at my favorite restaurant Surf so we made it worth the one hour trip and stayed in "vacation mode"

At the recital.....

She sang tomorrow.....

Back at the hotel...time for some selfies...and maybe a little screen time ;)

We ended our weekend celebrating Caden's birthday and Eva gained so much confidence in the pool- she stayed in the water all afternoon and night!!  Miss Greer may have been giving her some free lessons too ;)

As always, Laurel treated us to a top shelf celebration....

and Diana had fun stunting in the pool with the big girls :)

It was the quintessential New England Summer Weekend....and we are grateful!  What were you up to?