I had the best day with you, today.

On July 5th, Mar woke up {very late}, and reminded me we had planned to go for a bike ride. I was so happy she wanted to go... with me. We coasted much of the way to the bike path, then rode the three miles into town.

We stopped for breakfast at this fabulous place, which Mar has been to several times and has raved about it each time. It was my first time for breakfast (I think I may have been there years back for lunch...?). The breakfast was so yummy. I loved the biscuit so much I thought about it for days, haha.

After breakfast, we strolled over to The Barn, passing the fire station on the way. I had no idea this tribute to 9/11 was here. Cool.

It was super fun perusing The Barn with Mar. This used to be one of mine and Jill's "must do's" when she would come to visit after we had first moved here. I've been back briefly once or twice in the past... 10 years, but not with someone as fun as Mauri.

I nearly wiped out trying to snap a pic mid-ride on our way back.

We took the long way home, hoping to avoid the major uphills... only to find that what goes down, must come up haha. We walked our bikes part of the way home. I estimate that we rode about 12 miles (Mar estimates more). We were so hot and sweaty when we got home, we just chilled in the basement with an icy drink for a bit.

This was a winner day. 

I loved spending time outside on a beautiful nature-filled ride, I loved going to town, but most of all I loved being with Mauri (and that she enjoyed being with me).

Thanks, baby!

Celebrating America.

We started July 4th off with a hike to Palmer Lake.
Repeat of 2 years ago.

We had forgotten that this hike, although not super long, is a whole lot o' uphill. We had invited Tay, Nae & Evie to join us, but they politely declined. Thank heavens... it was hot and a bit strenuous, and we talked about how Tay would have had to carry Evie much of the way.

It was also beautiful.

Mauri brought along her new camera, purchased with her hard earned money and through some thrifty shopping.

We had packed a little picnic lunch, which we enjoyed in the shade. When the breeze died down, the flies joined us in droves.

We stopped by this cute ice cream shop on our way out of town. Mar informed us she had been there before on a date {with Miles-of-smiles}. That girl has had a plethora of dating experiences {wink}.

Once we got home, we rested for few, then started prepping for our BBQ.

Right as peeps were arriving, we had a nice refreshing downpour.

Billy-my-hero was still happy to BBQ in the rain. Love him.

We had brats and burgers. We wanted to straighten out the brats, and someone had the idea to skewer them... which worked great, although they were a bit tricky to get OFF the skewer after being cooked.
They were yummy.

The Gouberts brought this fun blueberry/strawberry pie.

It was so fun to have peeps over to celebrate with us.

These Haynie girls are so cute... one of them cried when it was time to go home, and asked if she could come back and have a sleepover next time. I'm so glad they like coming to my house.

Thanks to a suggestion from my dear friend Vernet, I had purchased some supplies to make giant bubbles. Mar helped me mix them, and made some cool bubble makers.

Luckily the skies cleared up, and we had a pleasant evening for bubbling.

Mar enjoyed the bubbles, too, and was a bit more successful at making giant bubbles, but the little girls had a blast trying.

As you can see, we are in the middle of a backyard project... we just partied right on around the piles of retaining wall block.

Just as it got dark, we went over to a hill near the Haynie's home to watch the Castle Rock fireworks. Mauri's {boy}friend Jake joined us there.

 Then we walked down the block to a culdesac to watch some of the fireworks Franklin had purchased.

One of Franklin's fireworks was called, "What just happened?"... Bill had some fun with that when Franklin tossed a burning spinning flower that rolled under a parked car.

"BOOM!"

"What just happened?!?"

Haha.

It was a great way to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, America!