Words and photographs from a Buttershug
We woke up to an appropriately HOT 4th of July. It was already warm enough outside to sweat at 8:30 in the morning. The sun was brutal and the sporadic rain showers made it muggy but it was a perfect kind of day. I was surrounded by family, memories, and a beautiful view. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more.
One of my aunts was out of town so somehow we found ourselves with nothing to do and no one to see on the Saturday before the 4th. I had thought about trying to extend our hotel stay downtown, but ultimately I am glad I didn’t because the hotel was filled with over 3,000 teenagers who came into town for a student leadership conference. The wait for the hotel elevator was insane and I was very glad we were only on the 6th floor. (Six flights of stairs are better than twelve.)
My Aunt Liz, sweet as she is, asked her friends if we could join them at their lake house in Wauconda for a potluck and fireworks. The hostess graciously said yes, so we met everyone at a stop before heading over. Thankfully, my aunt has kids near my own girls’ ages, otherwise it would have been kind of a boring event for my girls. We had a good time and the girls got to go tubing for their first time. They had a blast.
Every year I drive up to Chicago to see the family and visit the cemetery. The visit started began with a dinner, a trip to the cemetery and some walking around downtown. Family, food, friends and fun… always a good beginning. (Incidentally, I forgot my camera gear, so all these photos were taken with an iPhone4.)
