1st annual backyard bavaria bbq.

dusty and i decided that a backyard bbq needed to be in order when we were home in north dakota this summer.

AND that it had to be an annual tradition.
dusty took it to a new level though - guests were invited from noon until bedtime.
the plan was to sloooow cook ribs all day, drink beer, play games, and spend the entire day together, outside.
you were only allowed inside if you had to use the restroom.
dusty runs a tight ship.
the girls decorated while the boys grilled and it was fun!

grass for centerpieces cut from the hills by the house...in case you were wondering :)

you see what i did there?
i put flowers in old bricks from behind dad's shed. genius.

charlie really loved the bbq.

outside all day with family and friends? 

i like to believe she was in 7th heaven.

the kids always have a thing for my best friend, kara.
they gravitate towards her and she's fun, so i totally understand.
look at that pure joy on palmer's face...

kara brought the ingredients to make a yummy, special, summer drink...which means we were able to convince our normally diet coke drinkers to have a cocktail.
that's always fun :)

moaning was heard at the table while eating the ribs. i swear. (i said that for dusty)

all of these pictures make me smile so big.
the day was a roaring success in our opinion and we cannot wait to do it again.
next year though, we will try to plan it on a weekend, so you out-of-town sisters can attend :)
i loved our day so much and appreciated everyone coming that i almost sent out thank you notes for their attendance...but, then i didn't.
so, consider this my humongous thank you to all who were at the 1st annual backyard bavaria (street my parent's live on) bbq and of course, to all those that helped with everything!!!