Finally - the Fourth of July post!

A view of our home from Brandon's drone!

Our group shot taken by Larry with a time delay on Sunday.

 Well, it's September and I'm finally getting caught up to date on this blog. First here, are some photos from this year's Fourth of July weekend. My next post will cover the rest of the summer events. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, we didn't have a Fourth of July gathering last summer so this one was extra special for all of us. We had only one missing family: Molly, Patrick, and their new daughter Eleanor. Concerns about their new baby kept them away this year, which we all understand. 

A few of us were out on the deck while Brandon flew his drone and took photos.

Larry and his new girlfriend Zuzha (not sure of spelling) came first on Thursday, along with Sean & Will. James, Morgen, and Kolya drove during the night from Washington and arrived at 3 AM Friday morning. Then Deborah & Dick, Doug (Pat couldn't make it as she came down with Lyme), and Russ & Marty came for dinner, with Julie & Brandon arriving just in time to join us. On Saturday Jenny & Sam (the Wolf's dog) came with the motorboat in tow. David & Leslie also came that morning, as did Luke. Last, and much anticipated, Scott, Laura, and Calvin came for the day Sunday. This was most of our first opportunity to meet Calvin. He and Kolya had a great time playing together! They are only about 6 months apart in age. 

Laura hands Calvin down to Scott while Kolya watches with Morgen and James. As you can see
here, we didn't always have perfect weather, but it was warm enough to swim up at the lake every day.

This year we changed the food preparation method. In the past, everyone brought an appetizer, side dish, and dessert to add to the meat/casserole we had as a main. There had to be a lot of organizing done to put it all together. This year everyone signed up for one meal during the weekend and they were totally responsible. This turned out really well and resulted in some amazing menus (not surprising). There are a lot of great cooks in our group. 

Dick, Debbie, and Doug made Saturday lunch
Here Dick peels apples.

No surprise, it was huge and delicious
We enjoyed the leftovers all week.
Debbie admires the spread.

There were so many people, we needed 3 tables for dinner.
Here the younger folks had the dining room. Morgen,
Brandon, and Jenny are missing in the photo. Will, James,
Sean, Luke and Julie here.

David, Leslie, Doug, Marty, Zuzha, and Larry
ate in the living room

And in the kitchen, Scott, Debbie, Dick, Russ and
Heather (taking the photo)

Leslie's famous flag cake on Sunday

Sean, Julie and her new boyfriend, Brandon did
Sunday dinner (with Will taking photo)

Jennie getting cookies ready for the
oven,

James and Morgen made Monday
lunch with BBQ Chicken

Larry & Zuzha

Four of our hunks on the swimming raft - Luke, Sean, Will and Brandon

Morgen helps Kolya into his swim suit

Hanging out on the deck

Marty & Russ 

Zuzha gave several people massage
 therapy!

Doug, David, Scott, and young Scott

Julie & her puppy

Kolya loved the water!

His "wings"

Sean, Will, and Brandon working out. They ran
too and Luke joined them as well.

David and Leslie made Saturday
dinner, but Dave volunteered a lot
on dish patrol too,.