4th of July Festivites, Part 1

Packing my suitcase for the 4th festivities is like sparklers going off inside me.

Traveling: Love it.

Family: Love it.

Burgers on the grill: Love it.

America: Love it.

Celebrating: Love it.

See, that's why I have that sparkler effect going on. That and the swimming, boating, corn on the cob, American flags, warm night air... yes, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. Really, fireworks are so fitting for the joy of celebrating our freedom.

I love America and what it stands for: a shining beacon of hope, equality, hard work, peace, compassion, freedom, prosperity, dignity, opportunity.

I'm proud to be an American.  

A weekend to celebrate is positively lovely.

{Suitcase packed}

{Our traditional stop on the way out of the city}

{Road trip}

{Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." got downloaded onto the I-Pod}

Destination: My family's for the first few days, and then to Neal's family's for the rest of the weekend.

With my family, "Go big or go home" seems to be a recurring theme, and we had aunts, uncles, and cousins visiting from all over the country. (Because of adoption, I have siblings or cousins from Brazil, Africa, and Asia, so enjoy the diversity in the pictures- a beautiful, and rather American, sight!)

{Outdoor meals in perfectly gorgeous summer weather}

{Family worship in the evening}

{Staying with Tiff & Paul meant I had a little friend to get ready with me in the morning}

{Because what are aunties for?}

{Shimmery eye-shadow}

{Porch chats}

{Morning coffee made better by the porch swing effect}

{Best friend and her almost-here baby boy}

{Girl cousins in braids}

{Homemade ice cream sandwiches}

{Parker & his roommate, the real deal collegiate runners}

{Perfect blackmail}

{Basketball}

{Smelling Grammy's flowers}

{Isn't this little dress she showed up in dreamy?}

{New tire swing}

{Gardens growing}

{Friday night fish fry}

{Cousins}

{Painting nails red, white, and blue}

{Pool fun}

{Granny & Aunt Lanie}

{Baby Connor}

{Pool Volleyball}

{Sights for smiles}

And that, my friends, is an American summer celebration at its peak.

Look for 4th of July installment #2 for pictures from our time at Neal's family's on Lake Bloomington. Hope you had a sparkler-filled weekend of your own celebrating the 4th of July! I know Chicago has some preettty cool celebration activities, so I'm looking forward to hearing about those from my friends here.

City Walk #17: Old Town Triangle District

This month's Real Simple had a column asking, "If you were suddenly given a free day this summer, how would you spend it?" My mind shot up its hand so fast and waved it in the air, "Me, me, pick me, I know!"

"City Walks!"

Many thanks to my friend, Kirra, for introducing me to Chicago City Walk Cards, I now have a new obsession. Maybe love is a less offensive word. I love Chicago. And because I love my city, I naturally love a deck of cards containing facts, directions, and maps to 50 different Chicago neighborhoods...that is so "yay!"


After Kirra lent me her cards, I knew this was a $14.95 that was going to have to be spent.

Exploring the rich (and I don't mean wealthy, although to some that would definitely apply) neighborhoods, most of which I have never uncovered, following the winding streets, taking in the flavors and finding the treasures and landmarks of the many nooks of this city completely sweeps me off my feet. Don't worry though, my love is not blind: the cards explore safe neighborhoods and streets.

So whenever I am feeling good and it's not pouring down rain (a heck of an elusive combination this June), I easily know how I want to spend the day.

Hey, if you live in a big city, why not find out if they have city walk cards for your city? Just spreadin' the love.

If not, by all means, please enjoy Chicago with me through my camera lens.  Enjoy the walk through the

Old Town Triangle District

{This area pre-dated the Chicago Fire & was originally settled by German Immigrants.

Today it is re-built after being destroyed by the fire, and is very affluent. The residential streets are quiet and charming!}

{A row of Queen Anne styled homes

lots of detail in the architecture}

{A darling row of houses

a less urban feel than most}

{I would love to live here}

{And drop off my mail here}

{St. Michael's Church

One of 7 buildings in the city to survive the Chicago Fire}

{Home of Joseph O'Connell, who helped Chicago get the telephone}

{Really happy with our first city walk adventure

even though it was so hot outside}

So many beautiful streets and homes in this neighborhood that I was too busy gawking at and imagining the lives of the people who live there, instead of photographing all the charm. So these few random pictures will have to do. Told you I was swept off my feet!