.....boom booms.....

.....my two and a half year old nephew Chase has been terrified of boom booms until just recently.....every time he heard the sound of loud airplanes, fire works, thunder or anything else of the sort, he would say, No more Boom Booms.......so I smiled at the thought of him over this past week when we partook in our own firework show up north at a perfect little lake house visit with good friends in Westchester county........we had boom booms, fizzy sparklers and hissing light shows that made the dark, nestled streets within the lush foothills glow with color......

....and our audience was easy to please.....fabulous DIY (do it yourself) firework show aside, I could have watched their expressions and nothing else.....we had one animated bunch......

.....and the hours leading up to the night festivities were well spent.....after a downhill walk while picking wild flowers, we passed other quaint and unique cottages perched in the hills and waved to several residents taking a leisurely spin in their golf carts, the neighborhood's main mode of transportation......we arrived at the lake side beach and spread out our blankets and beach toys and the kids ran free.....

....the scenery is beautiful and it is hard to believe that there is so much tranquility only an hour north of the city......

.....the kids had their first golf cart ride and not in any ordinary, run of the mill golf cart......this one is a Harley Davidson......not that it needed to be any better of an experience for the kids, because just riding carefree, with the wind through their hair was enough for them.....but Momma thought it was cooler simply because the Harley logo caught my eye......I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Harley golf cart.....

.....and as our girls were whisked away, I caught a glimpse of my two favorite boys relishing in their own time....

......as I inhaled the fresh cut grass around me and listened to other friends and families in the distance laughing from their wooden lakeside decks as they grilled their feasts, it completely set in that summer is in full force......I closed my eyes for a moment wishing I could slow time because this season is one that fades as quickly as it comes upon us.....

......when I started to hear the crackle and pops from other private fireworks shows, I was reminded of doing our own fireworks as a kid in our Florida driveway......my brothers and I would have been covered in sand, smelled of coconut sunblock and we'd have also been sticky from the salty film that resides after swimming in the ocean all day; but no matter where you go in America to celebrate the Fourth of July, we all do it very much the same.....lakeside, mountain camp site, desert plains with red sunsets, cliff side at one of the pacific coastlines or white beach sand with snorkel gear in tow; we all usually end up near a grill, eating more than we should, shucking corn cobs, slicing watermelons and dishing out potato salad.....

.....some of us eat ourselves to sleep.....certainly an indication that the food and festivity around the grill was a hit.....

....and then, just as the sun started to hide behind pine trees and the evening's cooler breeze began to blow in; the tradition began.......our little ones are just starting to file these new experiences away as places to draw upon in their years to come.....

.....and I love that as a Momma I can impact what those memories will look like for them......

....boom booms, American flags, tasty BBQs and everything in between.....

.....happy summer.....

....the show me state......

.....why, hello blog.....it sure has been a while.....

.....I've been taking some much needed time off to savor and enjoy the small and significant moments with my extended family.....

.....nothing fills up my empty tank more than being with the ones I long for......

......busy and hectic can be draining.....and our last several weeks have been blurry......so the best way to replenish is to take your husband and your babies and hop on a plane to a place that screams home......

......this was a last minute, special occasion decision to pack up spontaneously (somewhat) and stay at my brother's beautiful new home, allow the cousins to play in the presence of their Bambi and spend two days with my aunt and uncle.....

.....they are two of the most God loving people I have ever known.....they have intertwined their marriage with God' love and grace.....their spirits are drenched with the ability to faithfully love one another, show mercy and compassion for others, accept each day as a gift, and they truly find contentment whether they live in plenty or in want......I am encouraged and uplifted simply by being in their presence and our next reunion can not arrive soon enough......

......and although the whole family enjoys time together, we ladies always congregate anywhere and everywhere......and we don't miss a second of catching up on anything......

.....and the youngest ladies of the family are learning at an early age that there is nothing like good conversations with the ones you love.....

.....and sometimes words don't need to be spoken to share what is in our hearts.....actually, not talking can sometimes have more of an impact..... 

.....but the unspoken moments were few and far between......

.....five little cousins all under the ripe age of four and a half have a lot to say.......there were many opinions, several requests, exciting new ideas, and our babes provided quite the entertainment for all of us......

.....summer has also brought some hearty appetites.....

....and for those who know me well know that the show me state is my birthplace.....although I consider myself a Floridian at heart, I can not miss an opportunity to pay tribute to the state that welcomed me into this beautiful world.....so my sister in law, Erica, found two sitters who accepted the challenge of five children under the age of five and we took an opportunity to show the show me state that we can still rock it out as the couples we were before we became parents......

....and, that outside of our children; we are still fun and interesting people.....sometimes we need that reminder when we are in the trenches of raising babies......

....I also jump at the chance for a date night with my love......my husband, who, as each day passes; takes a little bit more of my heart captive.....

.....and then add my brother and his wife in the mix and I am smitten.....happy, chatty, giddy and having the time of my life......and sorry Cardinals, but I had no idea what was happening during the game......I was too busy catching up and cherishing my company.....but congrats, because apparently you won......

....and in my old life when I used to run an office of people who worked hard, yet played hard; I always reminded them that if you hoot with the owls, then you best be ready to chirp with the birds.....and we did just that after our adult night out.....groggy eyed and fueled on coffee, yet bushy tailed and ready for a new adventure.....

.....we may have lagged behind for a short time, but eventually, we caught up......

......and in my experience, the end of a journey always has a pot of gold.....it may take a while to find it, but it's there......you just need to look for it......or in our case, walk for it.....

.....I couldn't help but pop in an abandoned hanger that hosts a flea market on the weekends.....I found so many treasured left overs just browsing on a weekday that I was tempted to camp out and wait for the next weekend sale because I have a feeling there are some steals to be had in that part of the midwest...... 

.....I eventually found my way back to the family.....we played, hid in the shade every so often to take reprieve from the blazing sun and kicked back and enjoyed.....we really embraced the time together and it was so nice to inhale the sweet smell of summer......

.....with a sprinkle of family.....

.....and because today is officially the first day of summer.....

.....Happy Summer to you.....

....find your red, white and blue.....

.....enjoy the ones you love......

.....and take a lazy siesta......

......get your hands dirty and savor every minute of it.....

.....we certainly are.....