Thursday, the day before the fourth, we took the kids to Manito Park. It is gorgeous! My favorite part was the Rose Garden. I could have spent hours there. I also fell in love with the Japanese Garden. But the kids' loved the duck pond. We came fully prepared with bread for the ducks. (Lucy loves saying "duck" now!)
Friday finally arrived! Jack and Owen had been anxious all week. We had a picnic at the park with friends and then headed to our town's small parade. The kids LOVE it because candy gets thrown on the street. Owen was quite aggressive and kept right up there with the "big" kids. I was so proud of him. Whenever we tell Owen to "smile" for the camera, he squints his eyes. Pictured below is a perfect example:
Friday evening we headed over to some friends' house for a BBQ. We had lots of laughs and way too much good food.
Sometime on Thursday, Adam and I came up with the brilliant idea of making a HUGE flag cake for the fourth. I was already planning on making an American Flag sheet cake from my favorite cookbook (The Barefoot Contessa: Family Style). I love this cookbook, author, and TV show so much- that I've had numerous dreams where I'm actually cooking with Ina Garten. Crazy, I know.
Anyway! We quadrupled, yes- quadrupled the recipe. After a trip to Costco, and a few extra trips to Alberstons for more berries, and more butter- we had our finished product. We were literally decorating up until the last minute possible. I'm a huge fan of The Next Food Network Star, and I seriously felt like a contestant on the show as I hurried to put the berries on the cake in an organized fashion. We baked four sheet cakes, put them together and wa-la, the finished product:
Saturday we drove out to Coeur d'Alene and hiked Tubbs Hill. Our kids did great on the two-mile hike. I was so impressed by them. Their complaining didn't kick in until the very end. The weather was amazing! It was pure heaven, especially for the boys.
We had a great holiday weekend. Unfortunately, my house suffered as a consequence. So you can only imagine what I'll be doing all day tomorrow.
13 comments:
I love your cake! Looks yummy. While we were eating dinner on the 4th I said, "Oh, I guess I could have made a special dessert since it's the 4th of July. Oh, well. Maybe next year." Sometimes I don't think of things until it's too late to do anything about it. I might be calling you next year for tips.
What a fun weekend! I love weekends where we do a lot of activities as a family...instead of doing errands, chores, etc. And, WOW, nice cake! It looks like you and adam are both very talented in that department.
Your kids looked so cute in their little patriotic outfits! Your cake looks awesome!!
That cake looks amazing! I am going to nominate you for sure if there is ever a reality cooking show - you'd be the best! It was so fun visiting with you at the park - glad you had a great fourth.
That cake is amazing! How did anyone feel OK about cutting into it? I'm sure it tasted as wonderful as it looked though.
It looks like a really fun weekend! And your cake is monstrous! But beautiful and I'm impressed. I don't bake very often and I don't think I'd ever take that baby on. You did a nice job. Your kids look adorable, by the way.
That flag cake is the best. The cream cheese frosting is the best. Ina is the best. You are the best for making FOUR of those cakes.
Save me a piece?
Okay I am so sad I missed that cake! I think it beat the smores we ate hands down! You are so awesome, I love that Adam was so involved in the process.
Oh my gosh! I love that cake. Wish I could have seen it in person. I'm also so in awe that you were so adventurous. What about naptime?
You did all my stuff! (Manito, MY BBQ, and Tubbs Hill). I'm so glad you had fun.
Megga, that cakes looks to die for!! I really wish I had been there to eat it. I would have had a whole sheet cake all by myself.
Awesome cake, Megs! I'm so proud of you! Your kids are SO cute :).
Honestly, that cake is amazing. I'm sorry we missed it. I love strawberries and white cake. Looks yummy.
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