On Vacation, part 2: Partying like Rock Stars

We are having a little too much fun at my mom & stepdad's house in California. Just a smidge.

Sunday, July 3rd, we had our annual Independence Day BBQ/Swim Party. 45 people, and it went for about 10 hours. Marathon party. 13 people slept at the house that night.

Yo, our parties are off the chain (or hook. either one, really) . Slammin'. Bangin'. Totally ballin'. The bomb. Badass and whack. Like yo.

Okay. Forgive me. Sometimes my thiry-something self reverts back to a 21 year old. A 21 year old that was nothing like ME at 21. In any case, WE HAD FUN.

We swam. A lot:

It was really freakin' hot (seriously, like 106 degrees Fahrenheit. No lie.(that's about 41 degrees celsius for you people from across the pond.))

And we lit about a bazillion fireworks in front of the house:

As you can imagine, we were a little overheated and peopled-out the next day. The guests left and we kept out of the sun at the movies in the afternoon (Kung Fu Panda 2. Cute.), then went down to my old high school for a community fireworks show.

We waited for the sun to go down:

And took some pics:

We had snow cones:

And the boys played with bubbles: 

Then we had fireworks:

IT.WAS.AWESOME.

That night we all died from exhaustion and heatstroke.

Then we got up the next morning and went to breakfast with the best grandma ever. Like, in the world. I couldn't love her more. We hung out at Grammy's house and did a whole lot of nothing, which, at Grammy's, consists of putting together puzzles, playing dominoes, and eating Taffy cookies. Sometimes stale. Oh, and sucking on butterscotch candies. The boys played in her "playroom," sometimes affectionately referred to as a "junk room." Toys from the 1960's & 70's hide there among aging avocado green lampshades, lodge robes and memorabilia from kids and grandkids alike.

My mom & gram. Puzzle making.

Have I mentioned how much I adore my Grammy? She's going through radiation right now for a very deep melanoma that was removed from her temple a few weeks ago. She'll be 84 next Saturday. I heart her with my whole heart.

*moment of reverence*

Moving on -

That night we partied AGAIN. See what I mean about being rock stars? It's like every night with us. No stopping us. Somebody better hold an intervention.

So, y'all know Joni, right? She came over, with her brood (husband, baby Ella, and 3 big kids) and her old friend (and my old acquaintance), Staci, and her big kid daughter, and we all hung out in the heat gulping water, laughing, and sharing stories. Oh, and we ate some sumptious BBQ fare, cotton candy ice cream and Joni's delectable chocolate, chocolate cupcakes.

Photo courtesy of Staci. :) (I realize my boobs appear to be missing. It's the swimsuit that I had on under my dress. It has failed me terribly in the support category. Not that a blame it, per se. The job is onerous.)

I'm very sad to say we only have two days left of vacation in California. We're heading to the beach tomorrow for the last two days so you can all wait for a third, and final, installment of our on-vacation antics.

Mwah!