4th of July at Cave Creek

The girls and I were fortunate enough to spend our second 4th of July at Cave Creek (we first did so in 2010).  Cave Creek is my brother's in-law's amazing old 1800s homestead in very, very rural Arkansas (think many miles of dirt roads and driving *through* creeks when the water is flowing).  Tim's in-laws lovingly restored a wonderful log cabin and added an art studio/ apartment.  This is also where Tim and Vanessa were married - so a lot of wonderful memories and a very special place for Vanessa's family.

Joining us for the celebration were Vanessa's parents, her aunt and uncle, cousin, my parents, both my brothers, the girls and me, and some neighbors.  Even though my girls were the only kids, the weekend was definitely set up to be very kid friendly.  In addition to the swing set, we played lots of lawn games (ladders, horseshoes, a game similar to the one where you throw bean bags into a hole but we used big nuts instead).  We had water balloon races as well as a water balloon war so we didn't let all the hard work in filling them go to waste.  They had lots of sidewalk chalk to get the kids' creative juices flowing as well.

Given it was well over one hundred degrees during our stay, a real highlight was the spring-fed swimming hole.  It was a wonderful reminder of how refreshing access to something that cool would have been "back in the day." Floating or just dipping our legs into the cool water refreshed us in quite a magical manner.  The Nortons made if fun for the kids by having a kayak, lots of floaty toys and it was a great place for a game of frisbee.  Given the massive drought going on, I was a bit worried about running into thirsty snakes since their aren't many other wet places around, but thankfully, our big group must have scared them off!  The girls also had fun getting home from the swimming hole on Poppy's four-wheeler.  The four-wheeler was also a convenient way to get fresh watermelon (from the garden, of course!) and cold drinks down to the swimming hole.

Due to the tinderbox nature of the terrain, we were unable to do an encore of the beautiful fireworks display of two years ago, but Uncle Wes and Aunt Louise came up with a creative alternative of getting glow sticks for all.  We had so much fun spinning them and throwing them up in the air.  Our alternative fireworks show worked out just fine.

Despite being miles and miles from the nearest grocery store, we managed to eat amazingly well.... and I mean amazingly well.  Wendell's garden showered us with bounty and you just can't beat coleslaw with fresh cabbage right out of the garden, corn right off the stalk, homegrown tomatoes, and these absolutely gorgeous giant okra.  Yum.  On our night to cook, we certainly couldn't come close to matching the fresh garden produce but my dad (Poppy) cooks a mean (and memorable) beef tenderloin and Mom (Gammy) managed to score some of Bee's famous homemade bread from my hometown of Morrilton, so the McKuin clan managed to hold our own as well.  Needless to say, we ate very, very well during our stay.

Celebrating the birth of our country has also taken on more significant meaning now that we live in a place that although offers a wonderful experience for our family, it's still not the great U.S. of A.  The kids are getting old enough that I enjoy sharing with them some of the many, many things that make our country so great.  So celebrating our country's birthplace in such a special place made for a memorable and meaningful holiday celebration for us.

Thank you, Norton family for sharing your home with us.  We feel honored and appreciate all you did to make it such a wonderful weekend.

The May Homestead - on the register of Historic Places

Four swings for four girls

Dangling Jane

The swimming hole with Uncle John

Aunt Vanessa, Uncle Tim and the three big girls enjoy the swimming hole

Anna likes the cool water, too.

All pile onto the kayak

Jane and Regan with lovable Jack Dog

Taking a ride on Poppy's four wheeler

The water balloon toss

Watching the lawn games

The balloon toss finals - look how far that one is going!

Another balloon race where we can't touch the balloon
with our hands - can you see the pink balloon in
between us?

Brother vs. sister

Aunt Vanessa in on the race - I think their team was so far ahead
that I'm not even sure where our competing team was for this leg

Grown-up version of how to carry the balloon without
touching it with hands

Let the balloon war begin!

Uncle Wes about to get nailed by the green balloon!

Anna is fascinated by the ladybug that keeps crawling
up and down Aunt Vanessa's arm

Lightening bugs!

Admiring the produce on the garden tour

Check out this cabbage!

Date appetizer made with dates brought from the UAE.

Jane, my little animal lover, and her captured frog.  Regan, my little
tender-hearted soul, went on a hunger strike until Jane would set it free.
Regan was afraid the frog's family would move on and he wouldn't be able
to find it unless she set it free right away.

Liz giving Meredith a remedy for getting rid of hiccups.

Anna coloring Regan's sidewalk chalk drawing of the log cabin

Anna and Jane on the porch of our cabin

Whee!!

4th attempt to get all four smiling.  3 out of 4 ain't bad, right?

The girls, Jack Dog, Uncle Tim and Aunt Vanessa.  Time to say
good-bye to Cave Creek

The McKuins and Puryears on the porch.  Good-bye
Cave Creek - we hope to do this again another year!