This past 4th of July weekend was definitely one of the best 4th's ever! I say that because it was spent with "the cousins" (minus P-Paul). My most fond childhood memories are those with the Billings and Flemings at my grandparent's beach house on Thomas Dr. in Panama City. Unfortunately, that house was destroyed in Hurricane Opal in 1995, but we never let that devastating storm keep us from coming back.
On Saturday, the girl cousins went to Shell Island on Quin's boat while Grant, Douglas, and Nelson fished.
Marina loved "Little Lee" and would only allow her to apply sunscreen, fix her lunch, put her life jacket on, and help her with anything. We bobbed in the gulf all day while catching up on life- It was perfect.
Saturday night, my mom cooked for all 16 of us at the house. We had boiled shrimp, cole slaw, pea salad, french bread, homemade peach ice cream (just like we used to have on Thomas Dr.), and key lime and chocolate pie from Capt. A's.
Juleann was telling us that these are the moments we will tell our children and grandchildren about one day...such sweet memories.
The best part of the weekend was the time spent on the porch after dinner talking about past times and future plans. Of course Nelson was quite the comedian and kept us all laughing, as usual!
On Sunday, some of us headed to Shell Island, some went to Uncle Ernie's on Quin's boat, and some sat on the porch all day long.
Sunday afternoon my dad took us to the gulf to look at the dolphins, and we saw tons of them! We are pretty sure two of them were mating. It was pretty interesting to say the least.
We had our 4th of July dinner on Sunday night because some of us had to head home for work. My dad grilled ribs and barbecue chicken, and mom and Juleann fixed butter beans, corn-on-the-cob, squash casserole and baked beans. We had homemade vanilla ice cream and peach cobbler for my Dad's birthday!
Special memories were made and I can't wait until we are reunited again!
