Firecracker, Firecracker, Boom! Boom! Boom!

Our 4th of July Fireworks were a wash (literally), but the next day proved to be a glorious night for fireworks!  The boys stayed up well past their bedtime, but they were troopers for their 1st Fireworks Display.  What a difference a year makes in flexibility!   The evening was filled with activity including a picnic dinner and a long walk with daddy (more on that in a post to follow). 

Picnic Dinner = Easy Cleanup. 12 Thumbs Up!

 

Isaac Chowing on some Blueberries         Clark Giving His Signature Look

 

Henry with His Mouth Full (also in True Form)

Brooks Examining Before Eating

Isaac in True Patriotic Form Getting Ready for a Walk

Finally, darkness fell and we were ready for some FIREWORKS!  I'm not sure which they enjoyed more, the glow sticks or the fireworks! 

 

Can You Sense the Excitement?

 

Have You Ever Seen a Happier Kid over a Glow-in-the-Dark Stick?

 

Clark Ooooing and Ahhhhing over his Beloved Stick

And of course a short highlight clip for your own amusement:

Thanks for letting us share another 1st with you!

Rain on Our Parade (Again!)

For the second year in a row, the boys sported jackets to the 4th of July Parade. 

See last year's picture in the IndyStar for proof:

 

It's just plain absurd!  Usually we are sweating buckets in the Indiana humidity.  However, the cooler temps and the rain couldn't dampen our spirits.  After all, there were fire trucks, police cars, horses, clowns (not Brooks' favorite), music, and CANDY!  Henry learned to unwrap the candy wrappers and help himself, before mama caught him red handed!

Even with the rain, it was a GREAT MEMORY!  We love experiencing holidays with our boys, and we're ever so thankful for the freedom of our nation, America!

 Next up: The Murray Crew's 1st Fireworks!

4th of July Fixin's

I started this post a few days ago and intended to post this before your glorious 4th festivities began, but I just plain ran out of time. However these recipes are great ALL SUMMER LONG!  I just love how the 4th of July brings out the heart of America.  The traditions, the cause that we celebrate, and the history of our nation make it one of my top three favorite holidays.  Like many of you, we are taking in a parade, gathering with family, and of course watching fireworks (the boys first) in celebration of our nation's independence.

Of course no American holiday is complete without traditional trimmings and fixin's!  I wanted to share a few of my favorite 4th of July menu items with you!

Burgers on the Grill

You simply can't go wrong with McCormick's Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning. Generously sprinkle both sides and work into the patties.  Not over spiced...just perfection! 

 

 

Grilled Corn on the Cob

The secret to grilling these "dandies" is leaving the husks ON!  The husks will protect your corn from being chewy and dry.  It also gives it a delicious smokey flavor. You can soak the husks for 30 minutes before applying them directly on the grill, but I've skipped this step and it's turned out just as tasty.   First remove several of the outer layers of husk, but keep a full layer or two. Then pull back the remaining husks and remove as much of the silk as possible, while leaving the husks in tact. Place on the hot grill. Cover. Turn the corn occasionally, until the husks are charred on all sides, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Mom's Baked Beans

Mix together in a baking dish: 1 Can of Beans (I use Van Camp Pork and Beans), 1/4 c Ketchup, 2 T Brown Sugar, A squirt of Mustard, and a good sprinkle of Minced Onion.  Microwave until Hot.  Simply Delicious!

 

Flag Cake

Another festive favorite is to take a pound cake (this was my sister's homemade recipe), top it with whipped cream and add cut up strawberries for the stripes and blueberries for the stars.  It's a always crowd pleaser!

 

 

Please leave YOUR favorite 4th of July menu items (with recipes) in the comment section.  I want to hear about your traditional spread!

 

Summer Quadyssey: Conner Prairie

Welcome to another Quadyssey episode!  This adventure takes place at Conner Prairie, an interactive pioneer village, complete with an Animal Encounters Barn and a Discovery Station for the "Prairie Tykes". Clark started out a little reserved with the animals, but he warmed up with time and exposure. The Discovery Station area was a HUGE hit, as the boys planted and pulled vegetables, prepared a pioneer meal, pretended to milk a cow, and played with trains. It's so fun to observe them in a large indoor play area. Even with lots of space to roam, they tend to flock together and play with one another, moving collectively from one station to the next. It makes keeping track of them, and cleaning up a tad easier!

No adventure is complete without food, so we indulged in some yummy Paradise Cafe grub before returning home for naps. It's definitely one of my favorite finds!

Here are some pictures and video to document our 2nd Quadyssey. (Ignore my poor attempt at an introduction to the video!)  =)

 

Isaac: "Look, I'm Back in the Saddle Again!"

Brooks and Isaac: "It's true. We Love our Chick-Fil-A. Tough luck, little chicks."

 

Henry: "Daddy Don't Let Isaac Get Your Goat!"

Brad: "Gather Around, Children, for Some Cornbread and Sassafras Tea."

Brooks: "An Apple a Day, Mama..."

Henry: "Mama, please don't share this picture with my high school buddies someday." 

 

 

Pioneers and Patriotism Go Hand in Hand... 

Next Post:  Some of My Favorite 4th of July Fixin's Complete with Recipes!!!!

 

Just An Ordinary Day...

Yet it was FILLED with all sorts of highlights...

1.  Hearing Isaac attempting to belt out the "Freeeeeeeee" chorus in Free Falling while it played on the radio.

2.  Meeting my friend, Emily, at the park for some social time and giving her a small taste of the hoopla that comes with taking quads out in public, where we were both mistaken as the "quad nannies".

3.  Watching the boys pretend together.  How cool is that? 

4.  Meeting Brad for a quick lunch at Chipotle.  It's the best "Feed a Family of Six for Under 11 Dollars Meal" out there!

5.  Hearing Clark profess his true love for tractors as he watched them out the van window.  "Buh-bye Tractor. I Wuv You!"

6.  Emailing with my mom.  She's on her way to being Mrs. Technology 2009! 

7.  Laughing at  the boys attempt to do step aerobics with an unopened package of diapers.

8.  Eating a slice of delicious Apple Pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with my sweetie. There's 3/4s of a pie left. Who's gonna help us finish it off?  It's your patriotic duty, after all! 

9.  Finishing 3 loads of laundry, with about 6 left.  Okay, so that's not a highlight, but I'm celebrating the minor accomplishment, nonetheless! 

10.  And did I fail to mention that the boys ingested their first juice box tonight?  They were thrilled to say the least.

 

It's the little things that make an ordinary days seem not so....ordinary.