Independence Day 2020 highlights

Our Independence Day was different this year, as everything seems to be in 2020. We normally go to a nearby mountain town with our family to watch a parade, watch water fights, have a picnic and see the fireworks. This year, due to COVID-19, none of that was happening. There were no parades, and hardly any fireworks (except the ones set off by the neighbors!). We still planned to get together with family, since everyone was healthy. We went to my sister-in-law and mother-in-law's house, and basically just stayed there. We went to a nearby park one day, but we got rained on pretty heavily, so we went back "home."

We did make our own fun. We played LOTS of games, which is normal. We watched the new movie "Hamilton" outdoors on a screen made of white sheets and PVC. We ate very well, as usual. We switched off making meals. We decorated flags for a banner, and we each got to go home with some of them. Joshua's cousin and her son visited from California, so there were 16 of us this year. The three teenage boys went golfing together, and to the driving range too. The girls painted nails, and we dressed up in Nana's dresses and took pictures. There were lots of fun hairstyles done. The girls went to the park and dipped their toes in the river with their auntie. We went to the grocery store several times. 

We played the game, "Reverse Charades," which is always hilarious. Our brother-in-law and one niece are so animated, it's a delight to watch. We played other games too: Dominion, Uno Flip, Rebekah's game called "Horrified," "Llamas Unleashed," "Unstable Unicorns" and several more. We played Bunco for an evening. We reenacted old photos of the kids. We talked... a LOT. It was a great time, and it went by too fast.

Playing Uno Flip

At the river...

The game Horrified...

playing Dominion...

Playing Reverse Charades...

All dressed up... literally!

Pretty girls...

Playing Bunco...

if you got a Bunco, you had to wear the rainbow umbrella hat!

Kids eating breakfast...

Ready to watch "Hamilton"...

Typical porch pictures... Our masked picture...

our nice one...

...and the silly one! We sure love our family and time together!

How did you celebrate Independence Day this year? What did you do? I'd love to hear about it! Was it very different for you too?

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.


Isaiah 61:1-3
The Year of the Lord’s Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.