Happy Father's Day

Today I spent the day with the family for Father's Day. I call it the Father's Day Extravaganza!!! Went to my parents' place and had great food and great fun.

My dad started it off by getting the OLD hand-cranked ice cream maker going. And we took turns hand cranking it. But...Dad did the most of it. (Way to go Dad!)

Then I took my nieces and nephew out with some "Snaps" to throw on the sidewalk. Unfamiliar with "Snaps"? They're just those little boxes you can buy in the grocery stores now for the 4th of July. Each little wrapped item snaps when you throw it on the ground or step on it. It's a great activity for 3 & 4 year-olds. The under 2-year-old had a harder time, but she still got in on the fun.

Then my mom and dad set up a scavenger hunt for the nieces and nephew out in their massive garden, that was a hit with the kids. They loved finding things grandma and grandpa set out for them.

After that we all gathered in the "barn" and ate a great lunch of grilled burgers, hot dogs, and chicken along with fruit, chips, and potato salad (and I'm probably forgetting something). Dessert? Yes. My sister made apple pie and an angel food cake and strawberry dessert. And that homemade ice cream. AWESOME! Amazingly the "barn" was completely cool despite the rising temperatures (and no air conditioning).

After lunch and a bit of more playing, once niece and one pregnant sister went down for a nap. The boys went out for some golf on the family golf course. What? Doesn't everybody have one? Actually, my dad converted their sizeable garden (formerly a cow pasture, but unrecognizeable as such) into a course for my brothers-in-law for the day. He even played caddy while they played. Nephew came along with his mini clubs. My non-pregnant sister and I followed along in the shade as the gallery (it was 90+ degrees out there!!!). We clapped and laughed (especially when my sister's husband, the avid golfer, hit the turf further than his ball) and watched while we imagined my dad cringing at his scarred turf.

After that we headed back to get some relief from the heat before Nephew and his grandpa went for a ride in the AIR-CONDITIONED John Deere tractor. (Probably Nephew's most anticipated moment of the day.)

And then it was time to head home. I had ridden with my sister and her family, so we all packed back into the van for the ride back. Niece was asleep within five minutes, with Nephew and my sister shortly after.

It was a great day! Hopefully next year the temps will be a little more manageable! I hope everybody else had as great of a day! And I hope my dad enjoyed his Father's Day Extranaganza!