My red, white, and blue

Well, hello there my lovely! Last weekend, as most of you know, was Independence Day weekend, which is my second favourite holiday in the year...right up there with, of course, magical Christmas. :) Every 4th of July, since I can remember, we've gone to my grandma's lake house for the weekend with cousins and aunts and uncles from my mom's side, plus a few close friends. 

This is my lovely sister, Hannah holding my adorable cousin, and Erika's brother, Jonas.

My grandma has the most beautiful lake house on the whole lake! It's so beautiful. 

Friday was the first day there. It was just my mum, my sister, and I plus Erika's family (or some of it) which consists of nine. 

Emma, decked out in her fashionable "peace sign" shirt. 

What did I tell you? The cottage on the right my grandma owns too...we all keep our luggage in there so we don't fill grandma's little house like a tuna can. 

My summery attire for the first day...my sister said I looked as if I was going to a tennis match. I fancy myself thinking it was a 50's tennis match as opposed to the Nike, sports-like mod tennis match.

And, of course, Erika and I kicked off the weekend with a quick photo shoot. :) 

I brought Goblet of Fire along with me (of course!) to read. 

Erika, Emma, and I went into the cottage and saw how Zeke had made up his bed...it was too cute!

The adorable cottage.

Mine and Emma's shadows. Taken after the first official swim in the lake of the season!

Isn't he just the cutest thing you have ever seen?!

Erika and I grabbed our cameras quick as a flash to get pictures of the geese! Then, her, Emma, and I went on a paddle boat ride and rode along with them. 

Erika, Zeke, and I! These two are the coolest kids. 

Our scrumptious supper! It was my first time having asparagus and I loved it!

Out on the speed boat for an after supper swim. :) Which are my very favourite...swimming in the evening is the best. 

Erika and I! 

Then, Emma, myself, Erika, and Zeke rode the tube on the way home. Since you can't go fast after 4 in the afternoon we had to go really slow...but let me tell you it was a hard and hilarious ride having four people crammed on a two-person tube!

It was brilliant. :) And my mum was sweet enough to take pictures.

The tiki torches lit to keep the mosquitoes away, we all hung out around the campfire, 

sat on the gazebo reading,

watched the last bit of the sunset,

listened to some music, and had lovely night! My brother Aaron, his girlfriend Kara, and my sister Hannah got back from a show that night and brought our friends Zac and Morgan with them, Aaron went back home to bring Kara back to her house and the rest of us kids stayed up till 3:30 watching good 'ol Food Network. :) 

The next day was SO busy on the lake since it was Saturday, AND 4th of July weekend! A bunch of our friends came and we had such a fun day. 

We swam, tubed for a couple of hours, had a classic summer supper of all things grilled, and all of us kids went to see my brother's band play a show. 

The next day was the 4th and we had a lovely time! :) 

We swam throughout the day...

My dad and Zeke took a paddle boat ride...

My uncles and little boy cousins fished...

Emma and I (boat on the right) went on a paddle boat ride and ran into my mum and dad taking Zeke on a canoe ride...

There was a fabulous sunset....

Zeke caught a fish...

And, as evening drew on we all came outside and began to set up chairs and make ourselves comfortable for the night ahead... :)

My sister Hannah, and my two cousins Ian and Emma. :) Gotta love them!

And there were of course the beautiful fireworks once it got dark!

I love how no matter how old you are you still love fireworks. Emma, Erika, and I sat on the pier and admired the sparkling wonder as the neighbor's set them off. :) 

It was a wonderful 4th of July weekend! What did you all do??

Enjoy the rest of your weekend my loves. 

With love,

Rachel xx