Memorial Day!

Yeah, I'm running a couple of days behind here: whoopsie!

Last year on Memorial Day, Ryan and I had a little cookout for two in our backyard around our fire pit. It was the inauguration of said fire pit. Annnnnnnnd it's still the only time we've used it since we've been here. FAIL!!

This year he had to work on Memorial Day (which he does every year, actually), but we did have a fun family get-together that night! Before I tell you all about that, I have to say that I think I spent more time this year than any other, thinking about the true meaning of the day. Remembering people who gave their lives not only to years of service, but in total sacrifice, so I can live in peace. I know there's a lot less peace all around us than there used to be, but there's a lot more peace than many people enjoy on a daily basis. So for that, I am grateful.

In addition to it being a working holiday, my sister and brother-in-law came for a quick visit! They stayed at our house Monday night, so I planned a little cookout and invited my parents to join us too!

Ryan came home from work just in time to start the grill!

 Turkey burgers and hot dogs!

Meanwhile, I hung out with Lori and Jeff!

Mom said I made enough food to feed us all two or three times. True! But have you heard the saying, "Cook once, eat all week?" That was my goal. LOL!!

After I finished this, I realized "Happy Memorial Day" is not really a thing. "We Remember" would have been better. But I hadn't erased the board from Mother's Day yet, so I just erased "Mother's" and added "Memorial." I'll do better next year.

And a closer peek at all the food!

A little something for the healthy food and comfort food lovers alike!

Pausing again to say how WONDERFUL it was to have our garage finished off. We were a small enough group that we could have eaten in our kitchen, but it would have been crowded. While the weather was nice, it was a bit windy to eat outside (unless you secretly enjoy the sport of chasing napkins and cups across the yard), so eating in the garage with the door open for a nice breeze was pretty perfect!

(This is what happens when you take a picture without announcing it.)

Dessert was my strawberry crumble, which is actually fairly healthy, and frozen yogurt for the top!

We sat around and talked for a while, and I made sure we got a proper "groupsie" (as opposed to selfie) before Mom and Dad went home.

We had just enough time to squeeze in a walk before dark, so Lori and Jeff could see the neighborhood we always talk about.

And check out the SUNSET!

(There were actually a lot of pinks and purples that didn't even show up accurately in this!)

So it was a pretty wonderful day. Grateful for sunshine and perfect temps, fun and family! And extra grateful for the hundreds of thousands who came before me who made that possible and all those who continue to make it possible every day.