July 4th Get-Together

Ahhh....4th of July. One of my favorite times of the year because the family gets together at my upstate house. And for the last few years, I have been able to get a family portrait taken.

Evelyn's family showed up around midnight(after a drive-in movie)and stayed over on Friday night. The next day, Nikki arrived by train around 11am and Kris around 3pm. We had glorious weather and so much side-splitting laughter...it was truly wonderful.

And now a tradition, we celebrate Xavier's and Mark's birthdays which fall on June 24 & 27th.

For brunch: my 4th of July waffles:


Served with bacon and sausage (not shown)

In between meals...hanging out on the deck with our beautiful kids:



The MEAL: Kathy's famous ribs (spicy and non-spicy, boned and boneless), corn(not bread)souffle - apparently people go crazy if "bread" is mentioned
My garlic chicken wings with chimichurri sauce, shrimp ceviche, potato and egg salad & Texas garlic toast



The birthday boy:


The Family (this year, we missed Tom & Lupe)