4th of July in Euclid

Pancakes and bacon for breakfast this morning!  Then we walked down to E. 202 to watch the beginning of the parade. Sophie was my favorite, although little Richie was pretty close.

Sophie as a mermaid

Then we were busy getting ready for the day. Linda and I put the rub on the ribs and baked them for a couple of hours--I think they had 14 or 15 slabs of ribs! We also made coleslaw (again).

Julia and Kathryn

Lots of bean bag in the afternoon.  Julia and Brooks were the champs after many matches that lasted into the night!

Colin and Brooks

It was a great day. So fun to see all the kids. They get along so well and really seem to be best of friends. It's great to see them out in the lake playing. They all love the water.

Kirsten made flag cake

Dinner was great, and Kirsten made flag cake and cappucino brownie bites for dessert. Yummo.

The "Red Shirts" Jim, Morgan, Colin, Linda, Kirsten

As it started to get dark, we all sat on the beach and watched fireworks set off from all over the lake. It was great! I especially liked the "Wish Lanterns" that Sally had brought. It was a long day, but so much fun.

Dinner With Peg and Tom

Julia and Brooks with Uncle Tom

Linda and me with Aunt Peggy

We started out the day with a yummy breakfast out on the deck. A typical Rich breakfast of eggs, sausages, hashed browns, fruit, and pastries he picked up on the way home from church. The weather is perfect. Kathryn came over with her kids and some friends, and the rest of the kids were in and out on the beach and in the water all day. Brooks and Julia got to jet ski and ride in the boat.  Tom and Evie came in around 1 and we all sat around the beach and the deck and enjoyed the day. I helped Linda get ready for dinner--turkey on the grill, rice, Linda's coleslaw and brownies and ice cream for dessert. It was great to see Tom and Peg--they seem to be doing well and are enjoying their new Fitness Center at Breckinridge.  We ate dinner out on the patio and then sat down on the deck to watch the sunset. I think Peg and Tom really enjoyed seeing everyone and being on the lake. The kids were all on the beach, and ordered pizza for dinner!

Evie, Ellen, Julia, Linda

Shea, Sophie, Morgan, Emily, Owen, Grace, Richie, Vince, J.P and Julia

Walt, Biff, Brooks, Evie

Off to Euclid

Julia on deck at Linda's

We left home around 8:30 am and got to Linda's around 3:00. Julia was already there and reading on the deck. It was really hot and humid, so we got our suits on and went down to the beach. Sat around with our feet in the water and I actually went swimming.  Kate P. came down to say hello to us--it was nice to see her. All the kids were there and out in the water playing. We had flank steak for dinner and sat out on the patio. Brooks got in around 8. After dinner we sat out on the deck and watched a beautiful sun set over Lake Erie.

On the skunk front, there were 2 babies in one trap, and 1 adult in another trap this morning. Eric was coming to pick them up this afternoon. I asked him how two could get in one trap and he said they walked in side by side!  He won't set any traps while we are gone. I'm too afraid of the cats in our neighborhood getting caught!

3 skunks caught, 2 babies in 1 trap!