Party, Americana-style

Nothing better to kick off summer than a good dose of Americana. Patrick and I decided to celebrate the freedoms that our fearless soldiers protect by having a water party. We love to entertain, but we NEVER do anymore. When we were newlyweds in Montgomery, we loved having dinner parties, pool parties, parties galore. We still get together with friends and family (our social life has not completely gone to pot... ;)), but with young children, our party planning endeavors have come few and far between aside from kid birthday parties and baby/wedding showers. What's worse, we couldn't remember the last time we'd had my family over. Truly sad. So we fixed it with a fun, memorable, cicada-serenaded, HOT afternoon and night.

First, we got out some red, white, and blue:
Next, we fired up our grill and marinated some kabobs:
(peppers, onion, squash, zucchini, grape tomatoes, chicken, and steak in a marinade of lime juice, olive oil, *soy-free, dairy free* butter, Montreal chicken seasoning, and Jane's Krazy Salt)

Finally, we got out our old and new water toys, turned on the hose, and let the good times roll:

And can't you tell by the look on her face that her good time was rolling!?! Love it!We actually managed to get a family shot before it was all over...
The big cousins, only posing for a picture because we told them if they smiled, they could get in the water... You gotta do what works.
Our best attempt with the four of them...
Ansley in her new suit with her Jaydee.
The fun begins!
And continues...
My beautiful sis watching the action...
Daddy getting in on some action...
"Wow, that was fun, huh!"
The Meek men
Bear and Anser (which is Addison's new nickname for her. She might be a little bit like me in her love of all things nicknamed... :))
The little besties playing away...
Happily exhausted after a fun adventure...

Happy Memorial Day, yall!

Nothing better to kick off summer than a good dose of Americana. Patrick and I decided to celebrate the freedoms that our fearless soldiers protect by having a water party. We love to entertain, but we NEVER do anymore. When we were newlyweds in Montgomery, we loved having dinner parties, pool parties, parties galore. We still get together with friends and family (our social life has not completely gone to pot... ;)), but with young children, our party planning endeavors have come few and far between aside from kid birthday parties and baby/wedding showers. What's worse, we couldn't remember the last time we'd had my family over. Truly sad. So we fixed it with a fun, memorable, cicada-serenaded, HOT afternoon and night.

First, we got out some red, white, and blue:
Next, we fired up our grill and marinated some kabobs:
(peppers, onion, squash, zucchini, grape tomatoes, chicken, and steak in a marinade of lime juice, olive oil, *soy-free, dairy free* butter, Montreal chicken seasoning, and Jane's Krazy Salt)

Finally, we got out our old and new water toys, turned on the hose, and let the good times roll:

And can't you tell by the look on her face that her good time was rolling!?! Love it!We actually managed to get a family shot before it was all over...
The big cousins, only posing for a picture because we told them if they smiled, they could get in the water... You gotta do what works.
Our best attempt with the four of them...
Ansley in her new suit with her Jaydee.
The fun begins!
And continues...
My beautiful sis watching the action...
Daddy getting in on some action...
"Wow, that was fun, huh!"
The Meek men
Bear and Anser (which is Addison's new nickname for her. She might be a little bit like me in her love of all things nicknamed... :))
The little besties playing away...
Happily exhausted after a fun adventure...

Happy Memorial Day, yall!