Hi! Hope you had a fabulous 4th of July! Mine was very low key seeing as that it was mid week.
It started off by meeting my sister and a friend at the movies to see Magic M
ike
Although I really loved seeing Channing Tatum, I really believe now that Matthew McConaughey is crazy! My sister and I got in some serious laughs from him. Alright, alright!
Later in the afternoon, swanky boyfriend and I headed to my parents for a low key bbq. We started by snacking on a veggie platter (which will make great snackers for lunch today).
I also concocted Carrots’n’Cake skinny pina coladas.
A mixture of coconut run, coconut water, and pineapple juice make a delicious and refreshing cocktail –with a lot less calories!
Since the day started with a little rain and some clouds, I hopped in my parents jacuzzi vs. the pool. I can’t remember the last 4th of July that Vegas had rain.
The boy got to grilling (while I relaxed-I know, I’m spoiled)! On the menu-filet mignon, burgers, and hot dogs. (And there was only 4 of us!)
Tony marinated the filets overnight with olive oil, rosemary, garlic, jalapeno, lime juice, thyme, onion, and salt.
We had every salad imaginable. Pasta, potato, green bean!
While the steaks were resting, I enjoyed a bit of each.
All refreshing and just perfect for this holiday, don’t you think?
Thankfully, my mom always brings a plate of food to her neighbors. Along with us taking leftovers, there was no food wasted. My family doesn’t know how to cook small meals.
It’s not a bbq without grilled corn. Slightly sweet, this corn hit the spot.
For dessert, my mom made her famous ice box cake.
Layered with lady fingers and vanilla pudding to name a few, this cake is phenomenal!
And of course it wouldn’t be 4th of July without fireworks!
My parents live next to a country club which shoots off fireworks every year. We have the best view!
The finale!
It was a great 4th of July! This post is short and sweet since I am off to work in a bit!! At least tomorrow is Friday!
I have an exciting trip announcement coming up in the next post!! Can’t wait to share!
Hope you had a great 4th of July!
How was your 4th? What are your favorite bbq sides?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
HAPPY 4th!!! Again, your family makes the best food! E and I stayed low key. We ran some errands, had some sangria, and he bbq’d our dinner. It was nice to have a little extra time off that’s for sure!
That sounds so nice!!
Yeah, it was nice just hanging out and enjoying the day off, I will say!
I can’t imagine getting in hot tub in Vegas this time of year! I had a nice and relaxing fourth, which of course, included some fireworks. I’m jealous you guys can see them from your parents house – how convenient!
Wow, your firework shots came out really good (especially the last one)!
I’m planning on seeing Magic Mike this weekend with my friends…it’s sad how excited I am, haha. I can just imagine that the actors were laughing constantly while filming this movie
That icebox cake looks awesome. We missed fireworks this year because of all the fires in CO. It was weird to have the 4th without them!!
I have to get the recipe from my mom! It is a good one.
I am sure it was weird without them. Same with us having the rain. So odd.
Wow! Those are some great pictures of the fireworks!! And I love how your family rolls..no food wasted! My favorite side is corn on the cobb! And I love how they are basically free these days in the market! I purchased 6 for $1! I’m def freezing them to enjoy later
. I’m glad you had an awesome 4th of July!
FUN!! My plan is to see Magic Mike on Sunday…me likey Channing too! MEOW!!!! Your forth looks great, yummy and relaxing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Teri!
Yes, it was so nice to just relax!
You have to let me know what you think of Magic Mike.
Alright, Alright! Naked Bongos!
This looks like a great low-key 4th of July! This is the first time I didn’t spend the 4th of July at the lake, but I’ll be making up for it this weekend, so it still kind of counts
My favorite BBQ side is deviled eggs – we always have to have them when we grill!
I LOVE deviled eggs! I didn’t even think of them. I will have to make them at the next BBQ I go to!
Oh my goodness, you had the most amazing spread of food! Also, your fireworks pictures are awesome. Most places in CO cancelled the fireworks this year, so I didn’t get to see any…sad day.
I saw Magic Mike last Saturday, and like you, I LOVED seeing Channing Tatum back in a dance role. LOVED it. However, I’m so not a fan of Matt M. anymore. The past few times I’ve seen him in movies, he’s playing the skeevy dude, and it just…ick. Yeah. It was absolutely the typical stripping/club/drugs movie…so as expected, there wasn’t much except a puddle of drool over CT.
You took some AWESOME photos of those fireworks!!!
So glad you stopped by, Melissa!
I am so not a fan of Matt M anymore either. I think this movie put me over the edge. And I think he should have cut back on the number of times he said, alright, alright. Although we had a laugh about it!!!
omg I love your mom’s icebox cake! I swear I can eat that whole darn thing lol Always such delicious food
Glad you had a nice 4th. We kept in low key too and watched a fireworks show at a nearby park from a far 
Your moms dessert looks sooo good. Can you share the reciepe?
I will definitely get the recipe from my mom! It is a good one!
I saw Magic Mike this past weekend too. Not enough Joe Mangianello if you ask me.
I agree with you!
Aw, happy 4th of July! Sounds like a wonderful day, and I imagine a real bonus having a holiday mid-week
Hi Kristen,
I love all the food pics! It makes me feel like today is the fourth all over again. I need to try out Carrots’n’Cake skinny pina coladas. They look very tasty!
They were a hit with me and the family! I love coconut water so it was the perfect addition to a cocktail
Those steaks look absolutely perfect!
Favourite sides: sweet potato fries, grilled veggies & fresh fruit!
I agree with you, Amber! I love sweet potato fries!
Thanks for stopping by!
Ahhh I really want to see Magic Mike – just for channing tatum
Those fireworks look gorgeous!
Sounds like an awesome time with family! I love all those salads..YUM!! My 4th was so low key..get ready for this..I was such an old lady I was in bed around 7. I had to work at 4am on the 5th, and I already worked at 4am that day..I tried to sleep but the fireworks sounded like atomic bombs coming into my house. I was scared. My cat was braver than I was..pathetic!
You know, it is more than ok!
I am known for being the old lady so there isn’t anything wrong with that.
Low key for me too. I actually had a conference call I had to be on in the middle of the day so I went in to the office and worked for a while and took care of that. Had a low key BBQ at a friend’s house. He has a big backyard so Oakley got to come and run around with some other dog friends which was good!
Sounds like a wonderful 4th! We had friends and family over for a BBQ and pool party, then ended up at our friends house to watch fireworks from the Del Mar Fairgrounds. All in all it was pretty good!