#SILintheSouth Grillin' Out on the 4th of July

Today was the 4th of July and we celebrated by having a barbeque with Jesse's family! Jesse and I got all of the food yesterday and we spent all morning preparing things and running to the store to buy bits and pieces that Jesse's Mom didn't have (like a salad bowl, serving trays and barbeque lighting stuff). I'm currently sitting with our littlest niece, Aubree who is asking me to show her all of the photos over and over and explain every single firework Jesse bought to her but I have lots to share with you so I shall type whilst she talks and asks me if I have blood or bones in every part of my body ;P 

Here's what we got up to today!

On the menu today was hamburgers and grilled chicken breast with fresh corn grilled on the barbeque.... 

A garden salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers/capsicum... 

and grilled vegetable kabobs with mushrooms, onion, bell peppers and yellow zucchini which everyone loved!

We went for a healthier than normal Fourth of July Menu which everyone still loved as it was full of flavour!

It was a gorgeous day outside so we brought out some chairs and tables and the girls swam in the pool while we grilled. Up there is Breanna, Aubree and Brittany (and our fourth and oldest niece, Natalie didn't want to go swimming).

It was the perfect day because for once it wasn't too sticky and humid so we could all enjoy ourselves - the only problem we had was flies!

Aubree thinks I need to show you these because she looks "very cute" - she's giving me a running commentary on all of the photos while asking me when we're making the fireworks because she wants to hear them go "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM". She's also amazed because I have two purses and two "suit-tases" so I must be a "gwown up". 

As well as our nieces, we had Jesse's Dad Hondo and half sister Gina come over to spend the day with us (middle and middle right) as well as Jesse's sister Bonita and brother Josh and Jesse's Mom and Stepdad

Jesse and Josh hadn't seen Gina in almost 10 years so it was much like a family reunion and it was so great to spend time with her - we're going to spend some more time with her next week as she's going to meet us in Baton Rouge!

And of course, I was there too! This isn't the best photo but at least it proves I'm actually there ;P

But now I need to go as Aubree is telling me I need to go and colour in with her in her Dora book and she's now itchy as she just got bitten by a mosquito - Aunty duties call!

But tell me, what do you like to cook for family get-togethers?

And if you're American, how did you spend your 4th of July? 

We're going to let off our fireworks later so I'll have to share the rest of our day with you tomorrow!