Independence Day 2015

I'll let these photos be the recap of our 4th of July Independence Day weekend festivities. In short, it was non-stop fun. My Uncle Bob coined the phrase "nowhere else" and it's certainly true. Independence Day is not celebrated like this anywhere else. #NowhereElse

The festivities started off with my Dad's birthday on July 1 (he is known as Grandpa Z nowadays).

To celebrate his birthday, my sister and I and our boys (Kya was at art camp), and my mom and dad walked from their house to Terra Nomad, the new urban coffee bar in downtown Bismarck. We highly recommend the mocha and quiche. Happy Birthday Dad!

July 3 is the official kickoff for Mandan's Independence Day events. We have a tradition of the participating in the Doll and Pet Parade so we piled all three kiddos in Corey's pickup (with Corey, me, and Caitlyn in the front seats) and the decorated wagon in the back, and headed downtown for the parade.

Caitlyn and Mason

Mason in the wagon and gavin on the motorcycle.

The Hager-Zundel kids.

Gavin and Mason in the wagon, and Kya and I pulling it.

More Mandan fun!

After the parade, we went to my uncle Bob's house to have potluck dinner and watch fireworks in the bay. Gavin and I weren't too sure about the loud booms.

This neighborhood puts on an amazing show! Nowhere else have I seen families buy fireworks by the pallet full. #NowhereElse

Kya and Grandpa Z watching fireworks from the pontoon (at the dock).

Bob's beach!

Corey and Gavin, watching the fireworks.

Kya and I made some delicious recipes for the weekend. I had tons of recipe requests, so here they are. As it turns out, Kya is a great lime zester for the grown-up's Mango Margaritas. We made this recipe as shown, but froze the mix in a large sealed plastic container. I served the frozen slush mixed with 7Up.

And she's an excellent salad mixer for this Asian Noodle Salad. We made the salad as written, but left off the cashews in consideration for those with nut allergies.

And Cherry Clafoutis. Delicious dessert that isn't too sweet.

Then comes July 4!
We head to downtown Mandan (with what seems like the entire population of ND). #NowhereElse have I seen an entire community celebrate together like this.

Waiting for the parade to start

Gavin and Ronda

Lauryn (my cousin) and Kya are inseperable

Mason (my nephew) and Gavin

Mason got a little jealous when we gave Gavin one of his graham crackers. It was hilarious.

Hot hot summer day.

After the parade, we went to the Hager celebration at Corey's cousin's house. The kids loved playing on their sandy river beach.

Since we totally forgot swimsuits or an extra change of clothes, and it was impossible to keep the kids out of the water ... Gavin got to skinny dip.

Then we headed to my family's celebration at our family river cabin. Again, Gavin got to show some skin. Is it any wonder that today (a week later) I'm having a hard time convincing him to put clothes on?

Playing at the river cabin

This perfectly shows the emotions after a long weekend of fun. Too much fun.

The week of July 6 officially kicked off the unofficial "Ditch Flower Bouquet Season" - we are very excited!