sweet land of liberty (lake)

Hooray for the fourth, my favorite holiday! This past weekend I went up to beautiful Liberty Lake, WA, where I was invited to celebrate it with Bret's family. I've always heard from B how fun their place was for the 4th of July and I've been looking forward to going for years now, but I always assumed he'd be there with me when I did... bummer. Still, I was happy to be there.

The Millers have a cabin about an hour north of Spokane on another lake called Deer Lake. That community puts on their firework show on the 3rd so the entire crew (including Bret's parents, all but one sibling, bros-in-law, nephew, aunts, cousins, grandpas and three dogs) went up for the night to enjoy it.

Deer Lake by day...

... and by night (I used my phone to take these so they're not awesome)

(B's pa and sister Carynn)

(the men folk at work)

On the 4th, Liberty Lake puts on a fireworks show from the center of the lake in which the Millers have an amazing view from their house, so they invite anyone and everyone to their yard for the show.

Liberty Lake by day....

(Large and in charge.

Perhaps subconciously recreating one of the paintings from this post)

....by night

Although Bret wasn't there, it was still so fun to have some quality Miller time. It's crazy to think that the next time I'm up there I'll bring a kid with me! Someone for our cute little nephew, Ty, to play with.

I even got to visit a dear, old friend while I was there. Scooter has been living with Bret's sister, Melinda, and her husband since we moved from Seattle. They've been very nice to watch her for us while we're in Brazil.

Thanks, Millers, for a wonderful fourth!