July 4th

This was a fun fourth of July. Unfortunately I only remembered my camera for the barbecue. Damon's brother Shane and his wife Jami are in town, their first visit since their move to Texas last year. The girls missed them so much. My parents came, Damon's mom and our good friend Cody. So we BBQ'ed all day Damon made his famous ribs and wings. They were a hit with everyone, especially Kaylee. Then we went to see the fireworks with our good friends the Jenkins and their five kids. Afterwards we came back and lit our own fireworks with our great neighbors the Bertmans. Alex their 13 yr. old son was the official "lighter" of the evening. It was so fun. Corinne was in bed, Kaylee couldn't do enough sparklers. She loved them!!! And Claire wasn't sure about the whole thing. Fire scares her especially when it is at the end of a stick her sister is swinging around everywhere. It was a fun night and they all slept in till 9:30 the next morning, (Kaylee till 10:30!)

Notice the screen door is not on the door but leaning up against the house. Corinne the day before was hitting the screen and pushed it right out landing flat on her face on the deck ontop of the screen. Notice the good scrape on her forehead and nose.

This is a Family favorite tradition. My Mom's Cheesecake flag! So I of course have to carry on the tradition and made one for our BBQ. Below is the super-easy recipe. Enjoy!Impossible Cheesecake

3/4 cup sugar

2-8oz packages of cream cheese softened

1/2 cup Bisquick

2 eggs

2 tea. Vanilla

1+ tea. lemon zest (grated lemon peel)

Mix all ingredients until smooth

Pour into a greased 9x13 pan

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

To make the flag you cut a bunch of strawberries in half. Make a square of blueberries line the strawberries up to make the stripes and then use the whipped cream in a can for the white stripes. Serve immediately. (the cream doesn't keep shape for long)