4th of July with our peeps

The 4th of July is a time to celebrate the birth of our country. Our wise Founding Fathers stated in the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." During the recent 4th of July weekend, our MR KLUD group met at Mike and Laurie's place in Payson to pay homage to those unalienable rights- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Bet you're wondering what these kind of peeps have to do with this...

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution gives Americans the right to bear arms. We decided to honor "liberty" by exercising that right. Doug brought his bb gun and several boxes of really stale peeps and the guys set up a target.

Yep... now you're getting the picture!

Standing on the deck about 30 feet away, we took turns taking peep shots. Everyone shot at least one peep with Ursi in the lead for the girls and Richard taking the lead for the guys.

The New Charlie's Angels? 

Laurie, Kristin and Ursi

Doug, Mike

Richard, Matt (Mike & Laurie's son)

Shooting is hard work requiring steady hands, good concentration and factoring variables like wind speed and direction. After several rounds we needed a break so we examined the peeps to determine "cause of death."

Poor Peep didn't stand a chance!

We "pursued happiness" as we played games with friends. Amid much talking, good-natured kidding  and laughter, we played Mexican Train Dominoes, a game we frequently play when we're together. Ursi was happy she won (score 236) and she says she "always loses!" I was happy the game was finally over and I had exactly 500 points- yeah, I lost! 

Win or lose, it's always FUN!

Doug and Richard played Washers, a game similar to Horseshoes while the rest of us got dinner ready.

Boys and their toys!

What could be more "4th of July-ish" than a backyard cook-out? Chef Mike donned the BBQ apron and grilled delicious hamburgers and corn-on-the-cob!

There is one "unalienable right" left- life. Before we ate the feast Mike prepared for us, we gave thanks to our Creator for our lives, for living in a country where we enjoy so many freedoms and for the people who have fought for our freedoms. 

MR KLUD

Without a doubt, it is the peeps... friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances... in our lives that make life memorable!