July 4th at Sam's on our 2012 Vacation Trip

Our whole reason for this vacation revolves around the Forth of July.

For the past 22 years we have been going up to Glide, Oregon to spend it with our friends,

Sam and Jim. Jim died four years ago and we miss him terribly. He and DH played beautiful music together and their friendship goes back to the 1970's when they were in their early twenties.

We still enjoy getting together with Sam and her family.

(daughter, niece, nephews, sister, great nephew's, mother in law, spouses, and friends)

I drew Sam's basket of yarns on a little child's chair that sits in her living room.

And the flag that hangs by the front door.

On the forth Sam's family shows up laden down with good food to add to what Sam made and we sit around talking and eating and having fun. This is her niece in the middle, her nephew in yellow and niece's boyfriend in black.

We played croquet on the lawn. It was my first attempt in many years. I actually came in third when two young people and two older folks gave it a try. I beat Ronnie. ;-)

The younger great nephews played music. DH did later in the evening to every one's enjoyment.
The gals talked. I taught Ann to play Spite and Malice (a card game) and she loved it. So I have a new partner for next year. She told me she would practice all year long in readiness for our future games. That's her in the red sun blouse on the far right below.

I made that little line of fabric prayer flags that hangs on the fence behind the guys last year. Sweet to see Sam had it out for me to hang up again this year.

We had such a good time at Sam's. We left the next day after spending three nights there. You can keep watching for more of our ten day trip. This was day six. And if you missed it you can see days one through five in my earlier posts this week. (and there will be more tomorrow) ;-)

Happy Paint Party Friday.

To see more artists works from that challenge go to the icon on my side bar.