Fireworks, Family......and Fish

We had a fantastic Fourth of July this year! My parents, Dave and Connie, and Laura's parents (Tom and Debbie) came to Indy for the three-day weekend. It was the perfect opportunity to make our big announcement to everyone about Baby Stelsel, and a great way to start off a weekend of celebration.

I made dinner Friday night, so we had one low-key night just catching up and relaxing. Saturday, after showing my Dad where we HOPE to build a new house, we introduced my Dad, Dave and Connie to Friendly Tavern, one of our favorite mom-and-pop dives. The Parker clan spent the afternoon relaxing and watching the Wimbledon championships while David and his dad worked hard on our yard. That night we started the July 4 party early with a good 'ol cookout: brats, burgers, hot dogs, beer, and all our neighbors' fireworks shows.

Sunday we had Dale's World-Famous Fish Fry (yes, it has an official name now) at Kirk's house. It was quite a sight! Tom, Debbie and Laura's sister Emily were there. And Lindsay and Corwin showed up for a while, too. It was HOT HOT HOT outside, but nothing a cooler full of cold beer (and Ginger Ale) couldn't cure. :)

What a setup!

Cooking fish is serious business. Dad trained Debbie well.

David, Tom and Mom chillin on the porch.



On Monday we had breakfast together (minus the Kassenbrocks) at Le Peep, followed by an afternoon of lounging and playing cards. We went to Kirk and Laura's that night for Beer Butt Chicken. Yep, that's really what it's called. Here you can see why:



Chase did not care for the fireworks. Kirk's neighbors two houses down and right across the street were letting off the big booming fireworks for hours. Had we been sitting inside, he wouldn't have cared. But being outside all weekend with all those loud noises was like being in a war zone. He hated it. He kept jumping from lap to lap wanting to be comforted, which isn't really like him. His Aunt Laura came to the rescue and made some makeshift earmuffs for him. I don't know if he was any happier after that, but he sure looked darn cute. Like Grandma in her Sunday bonnet. :)

Couldn't have asked for a better July 4 weekend!! I say we do it again next year! ;)

Chase crashed after a weekend with all his grandparents. Bless his heart.





Categories: family time, puppy love