Fourth of July

I decided to invite myself along to fourth of July festivities on White Bear Lake. Jared’s friend, Courtney, and her family have an amazing lakeside house with a little beachfront cabana.

White Bear Lake

House and Cabana

Sitting on the Dock

The water in the lake was really low, which gave us an extended beach on which to play badminton, ladderball, and build sand castles. In the afternoon, Noah took Kristi and me wading and we caught tadpoles. Kristi caught a tadpole that had whiskers—of course, it was actually a baby bullhead. It was cute (and not slimy yet)!

From the end of the dock, looking in

From the end of the dock, looking out

It rained lightly for about 10 minutes. We all took shelter under the beach umbrellas and a few of the smarter people went in the cabana. The umbrellas leaked and we got a little soaked, but then the sun came out and dried us off. So it all worked out.

Empty Snail Shells

I was disappointed that I couldn’t find more critters in the lake, though I probably would’ve been grossed out if I had.

From the street above

Looking down the street

Patriotic Lamppost

The family that hosted the party had decorated the house with a lot of red, white, and blue. Even the deer head in the office had some glittery, patriotic garlands strewn around its antlers.

From the street above

Burying Feet in the sand

Cutest Swimsuit

Stella was rockin’ the ladybug swimsuit. She even had a ladybug beach robe to wear over it. She was the most fashionable lady at the beach that day.

Ewok Dog

Building Sand Castles

Whiffle Ball

Heather and Kristi

Dining Room

Playing Dominoes

I’m not sure I ever knew how to play dominoes, but I caught on pretty fast. I think I did pretty well, though we only played three rounds before everyone wandered off in different directions.

Big Band

Kristi and I walked down the street to the park and public beach. There was a big band getting ready to play, and the fireworks barge was getting final, explosive details together.

Fireworks Barge

Beach Feet

Flag

There is something on my lens, but I keep forgetting to clean it. Do you see it? It’s a hair in the upper left-hand corner. It’s annoying.

Public Beach

Blue Blue Blue

There was one morning at Sullyfest when I woke up and asked my mom if I should wear blue or blue and then literally pulled three different blue shirts out of my bag. I’m starting to think I own too many blue shirts. It was just fate that I happened to get a blue M&M ice cream treat for this photo.

Kristi and Heather

Mikey and Noah

Things that flew over our heads:

  1. A boat airplane
  2. A Blue Heron
  3. A Bald Eagle (cliché, but also pretty cool)

Sunset

Kristi and Blue Ice Cube

Brad and Fireworks

It was fun to see all of the tiny explosions of fireworks around the lake, and Brad made sure we had our own little display before the big show started.

Fireworks Around the Lake

Fireworks

More Fireworks

Ice Cubes

After the fireworks everyone started roasted fancy s’mores—they put a marshmallow and a caramel on their sticks for roasting. I’ve never seen that done before, and I didn’t try it this time but wow. Genius.

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