The Celebration Begins, God Bless The USA!
We did a quick tour of the garden to admire Poppy's Plum; Paul is patiently awaiting it to ripen!
Looking' good!
The garden is in great shape! We hope our guests go "shopping"!
We are ready!!
The party was so small, it felt like we outnumbered the guests! Only sixteen folks, but we're all such great friends that it is like a family get together!
Crazy Greg was right on time! There are stories to tell!
The munchies were out and Mary was fixing the hamburger fix in's!
Brenda checks for updates from her ill brother. We wish him well!
The almost Birthday Girl hits the table eating.
Coming to a location near you!
The tables were set and almost everyone was here!
The party was convivial.
Three different dips from jalapeno to ranch!
Mary is quite a cut up; everything is from our garden!
Her surgical training is coming in handy!
Watch out for these two!
They make us dizzy!
We have been bombed; correction, Bob'ed!
Stories are told and retold!
Shrimp?
Come on Nick, show us your tooth!
All smiles!
They make everything else look black and white!
She is hatching a plan!
Jim is reading her mind and is getting ready to run!
Bob went for his "fitting".... You will know on August the 3rd!
BBQ corn; life does not get better!
Bob said to me: "Why did the corn file a police report? It was being 'stalked'!"
Grilled to perfection
Then he said: "In the corn maze, I felt like I was being stalked. It was earie!"
Needless to say, I went inside!
Oh my!
Pops, Dad, and Nick (Nick is on the right side!)
Nick's arms are so long, he doesn't need a selfie stick – he's a selfie pole all on his own!
All the goodies are coming out as Chef Bob is completing his masterpieces.
Mary's famous potato salad!
Keep your eyes on it, it disappears rapidly.
"I need more heat Scottie, turn up the engines"
"Thats all she's got Captain Bob!"
Dang, we gonna party now!
The chant of... "Oh Boy
Oh Boy
Oh Boy
Oh Boy" is heard through the house!
The burgers, courtesy of Chef Bob, were a big hit!
Irene arranges the goodies!
The jello has arrived, we can start!
Join hands and give thanks for friendship, country, and God!
I am here, I just have the camera!
We did well!
The mad scurry begins; food is flying; silverware is clicking!
No one will go hungry today!
Jim goes back for his thirds!
Green jello is mandatory!
Jim gets is plate full with Vicky's assistance!
Now that the traffic has thinned out, ladies are welcome!
"Who, us?"
People can sit anywhere as everyone knows each other quite well!
Chomp!
Ready, set go! 1-2-3 1-2-3
"How about the Hokey Pokey?"
We have fun!
"Yes, those are my feet!"
When she is in my arms, the rest of the world disappears!
"See, I have legs also!"
Vicky's brain is active!
We almost caused Vicky to choke!
"Where are the anchovies for my burger?"
Bob! I saw an anchovy this big in the pool!
"Well, maybe NOT that big"
Mary finally gets to sit down!
Everywhere you look people were laughing and telling stories.
Donna and Mary, the patriotic duo!
Robin has been busy!
All we see are calories, BUT on July 4th, they magically disappear like a magician's assistant! Calories do not count on July 4th!
"Dianne, did you see a calorie around here?"
Telling stories
No one is shy around dessert time - it's the one time when even the quietest person suddenly becomes a dessert detective, scoping out the best treat on the table!
Nick pitches right in; he is a good man!
Now we get down to serious gossip!
Vicky is heading to Los Alamitos to watch fireworks.
We love Jim's new shirt!
A little rest before departing
We have a new spot this year, across the street in the darkest part of the road!
Tony and Michele got real close!
Up front and personal!
The fireworks were great and the Master Of Ceremonies was superb!
We were trying the catch the neighbors tree on fire.
They stayed there all night long except for a couple of fireworks that were over achievers!
Joe lit up the night!
The neighbors also overachieved!
These were NOT from a city event!
We had a wonderful time!
