Fourth of July

We had an awesome Fourth this year, it's always a lot of fun because everyone in our neighborhood set off fireworks in their front yards so it's very loud and exciting. We had a blast, the guys went to Boom City and got tons of fireworks and anything that made noise or caught on fire that they could find. It was nice and relaxing because we just set some chairs in the front yard along with some blankets on the grass and a fire pit to roast marshmallows. The weather was perfect, we had sloppy joes and baked beans as well as some to die for desserts.
This first one is Strawberry Dumplings

Ingredients:
- 4 cups strawberries, quartered
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 7.5oz. cans(10) buttermilk biscuits, separated and cut into quarters
- sugar for sprinkling
- Whipped cream
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large ovenproof iron skillet, combine strawberries, the 1 cup sugar, and the water. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat; cook and stir about 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Arrange biscuit quarters on top of the strawberry mixture in the skillet. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake 18-20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Serve warm with whipped cream.

Next, is a simple one, S'mores
Last but not least, this one is called"Not Yo Momma's Banana Pudding" and it is my favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 box Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 2 cups milk
- 1 (5oz.) box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softenend
- 1 (14oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 (12oz.) frozen cool whipped topping, thawed
Directions:
Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch glass dish with the shortbread cookies. Layer sliced bananas over cookies. In a bowl, combine milk and pudding with a hand mixer. Blend until thickened. In another bowl, combine cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Mix cream cheese and pudding mixtures together until well blended. Pour mixture over cookies and bananas. Refrigerate before serving.

Here is a flower bucket I made out of a coffee can,spray paint and paper, mod podge, and some wire. If anyone would like the directions just let me know.

Here's a closer look




Avery on her Red Ryder

Here she is prepared for all the noise, she wore them all night!


Here's Madi being a goof ball.







This strawberry was a perfect heart shape
Thanks Erin and Stephen for the adorable outfits, they made the holiday that much more festive.