Mia's First 4th of July!

Mia helped me make my annual flag cake for our 4th of July BBQ. My mom used to make this cake every 4th of July. After she passed away, I took over the tradition. I think I've been making the cake for about 14 years. Hopefully Mia will really be able to help me with the cake in a few years and then take over the tradition herself someday!

She wasn't so sure about the strawberry.

 

Here's the finished product with smudges from Mia putting her hand in it a few times while trying to take this picture! :)

Every year we have a BBQ at my aunt and uncle's house on the 4th of July. I've only missed one  in my life, due to a fun trip to Washington DC to visit my friend Amy for the 4th. If I couldn't be at our annual BBQ, where would I rather be than the nation's capital on the 4th of July? Ok, maybe Jamaica would be nice!!

 

Jack( cousin), David, & Zavien(second cousins-I think-my cousins' children. :)Not sure how that whole thing works exactly.)

Of course, a holiday couldn't go by without a special outfit to wear! The mini skirt is fine when Mia's a baby, but it will not be acceptable when she's older! I can already predict an argument in the future. :)

(left to right)Aunt Dana, Uncle George, David(Cousin), Uncle John, Tyauna(cousin), Kierra(2nd cousin)

The coloring contest--Jack, Zavien, Gianna(2nd cousin), David, and Elijah(2nd cousin)

Aunt JoAnn, YaYa, and Marlana(cousin)

It was an exhausting party!! Actually, Matt(cousin) just got back from a trip to Europe earlier this morning, so he was understandably tired. Congratulations to both Matt and Aaron(cousin) for graduating high school!  They'll both be attending Kelly's old stompin' grounds, California Lutheran University this fall.

 

Caleb(2nd cousin)

The annual water balloon toss! Maco and I were hoping to uphold our reign as champs, but duty called, and I had to put Mia to sleep.  He somehow survived and found another partner. I later participated in another toss with Uncle Jon as my partner. We tied for first and lost in a "toss-off". Hopefully Maco and I will be back at it next year! :)

Can I fit my entire fist in my mouth???

 

Uncle David, Dad, Uncle Jon, Uncle Don(my mom's uncle-Grandma's brother -visiting from Arizona), Uncle Dan, Uncle Steve, & Uncle George. These are my mom's 5 brothers. There is almost a 20 year age difference between the oldest and youngest. My mom was the only girl! It must have been rough!

The 5 brothers & their wives. Uncle David & Aunt JoAnn, Uncle Jon  & Aunt Dana, Uncle Don & Aunt Bev(Mom's uncle & aunt), Uncle Dan & Aunt Julie, Uncle Steve & Aunt Becky, Uncle George & Aunt Julie

 

Some of the Eaton cousins(left to right-back  row)Courtney, Lana, Katie, Tyauna, Shayna, Erica

(front row) Matt, Jack, Aaron, David

There are 5 cousins missing!

 

Some of the cousins and their spouses. Shawn and Lana, Steve & Tyauna, Maco & Shayna. Not sure exactly why Katie is in the picture. I guess it's wishful thinking or something. :)

Some of the second cousins-Back row-Stevie & Daniel

Front row-Caleb, Kierra, Gianna, David, Zavien, Elijah, & Jack

Missing 5 second cousins, including Mia.  She was inside taking a nap, so she missed her first cousin photo. I'm sure you all can imagine how hard it was for me not wake her up for this photo op. :)

Napping during the BBQ. Too much 4th of July fun!!

We went to Sittee's house in the evening for dinner, games, and the fireworks! She lives on Hayden Bay Island on the Columbia River, so we had excellent viewing of the firework display. I was shocked, but Mia slept in Sittee's house through the entire show. The fireworks were sooo loud, and I still can't believe she didn't even wake up.

Shawn, Katie, Ryan(Shawn's friend), & Lana

Erin,  Kerri, & Mark(Shawn & Marlana's friends)

Selene & Derek-our annual buddies for the fireworks. Channing even woke up for the fireworks. We weren't sure how he'd react, but he loved them! Next year we might just have to wake Mia up for the show.