Good Times!

Last night's party was quite the success! I worked hard all day yesterday getting the house party ready and even found time to trim the trees in my front yard and weed the front flower beds. I did it all in the rain too...which I'm sure my neighbors thought was strange. I never let rain stop me from yard work though. In fact that is the best time to work on weeding because they come right out of the ground with ease. The other benefit is the mosquitoes stay away while it's steadily coming down. In any case, it needed to be done and I'm glad to have it out of the way.

The food turned out delicious and the drinks were great. My friend Jen is a bar tender now and I was delighted when she showed up at the door with an armful of bottles containing all kinds of goodness. She made everyone shots and mixed drinks like a pro. I have to admit I was a tad bit tipsy. Ok, maybe more than a tad...but those drinks were so tasty.

Kim L. showed up with a crock pot full of ribs and two platters of deviled eggs. Both were sensational. Mykel made some sort of salad that seemed to go over quite well, but I never got around to trying it because I was so full by the time she made it. I made a blue cheese potato salad using red potatoes and bacon bits I fried up myself. I don't think any is left...which usually means something is a hit, and of course I had to make some baked beans. We also grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. I was going to make brownies but realized we had a ton of food so figured no one would miss them and they didn't.

The whole neighborhood was alive last night with pops, whistles, booms, clacks, cracks, etc...and the light show was great. We had some pretty fun fireworks and a few of our guests brought some too, including one bad ass mutha called the "Hallucinator". It was the best firework show of the night all by itself. Matt brought that one, and a few other choice ones too. The kids loved the show...even Ben. In previous years he was so scared he would never come out of the house. But this year with his best friend Calvin over, he was having a great time. He just kept his ears plugged up with his fingers most of the time. :)

Later on we all gathered around in my kitchen to watch the science experiment Paul had set up. It was quite entertaining! He put peeps in a jar and used a bicycle pump to create a vacuum. He first blew the peeps up to a big puffy size, then had them imploding in on themselves. It was funny and everyone got a big kick out of it. I don't know who was more entertained the kids or the adults. :)

Good times indeed but there were a few key people absent last night that I really missed...you know who you are.

The day started out quite rainy. My bananas are loving it!

I made some food and others brought stuff too

Not your ordinary melon balls...these were spiked with Parrot Bay Rum

Jen makes drinks while Mykel makes a salad. Gilbert supervises in background...either that or he is checking out backsides.

Jen serves Russell a "Scooby Snack" which is some kind of shot. Kids get lemonade

Lots to eat!

Friends Who Care...awwwwwww

Oooooh Aaaaaahhhhhhhh Pretty

Ben plugs his ears! Brom and Calvin wear their aprons as capes.

Setting up for the science experiment

Paul is going to capture the moment on video

The audience is intrigued

Mykel smiles...results are good

Gilbert is impressed and perplexed!

Giant Peeps!

Now they are small!