BBQ for Erika and Travis's Visit

This was a lot of work for the short amount of time I had to do it in.  I wanted to do it as soon as they got here on Saturday but everyone said no because we didn’t have a lot of time and they thought Erika and Travis needed a break after riding their motorcycle over 500 miles.  I said okay and decided to do it on Sunday instead.  I threw together a menu Thursday night and told everyone what they needed to bring and what time to show up.  I went to the store Friday to get some of the ingredients I prepared myself to bring. 

I got up around 9:30, had some cereal and started putting away stuff.  I cleaned the living room a bit so everyone could sit on the couch if they chose to, I did some vacuuming and I mopped the kitchen.  I cleaned Calvin’s box and cleaned up his food area a bit.  Ben went and got Erika and Travis from the hotel.  I fluffed our clothes I had washed the day before so I could fold them.  I put the dishes away and cleaned the ones in the sink.  I had help taking the tables and chairs outside.  I added some table cloths I got from the dollar store and added some decorations to make the table more festive.  Ben cleaned the grill and around 12:30ish I started putting the burger patties together and seasoned them. 

At one, we threw them on and started cooking them.  That hour flew by fast and people started arriving.  I ushered everyone outside so we could enjoy the nice weather we've been having.  Everyone visited while Ben, my mom and I got all of the condiments, dressings and other stuff people brought out on the tables we put on the deck.  We had a good system going.  Once the burgers were done, everyone started dishing up their plates.

Ben invited Josh and Heather over and they brought some short ribs and beer to share with everyone, if they wanted some.

We all sat down at my lovely festive table arrangement out on the grass and we ate and visited.  Grammie mentioned that her and grandpa were going with their old people on a "party bus" to a Mariner game in September and wanted to know how to do a selfie on her phone.  Just the pure fact that my grandmother was talking about selfies on her cell phone was pretty hilarious.  When I was done eating my food we practiced how to do a selfie.  There were a lot of side conversations going on for the next few hours. 

My first impression of Travis was a great one.  I was glad Erika found someone she got along with and had a lot in common with.  It was nice to finally see her happy and established with someone.  He had a sense of humor and was probably one of the most normal ones out of the guys Erika has brought home with her.  He integrated himself, he visited with everyone and there was never a time I felt awkward having a conversation with him.  Erika finally found herself a good guy!

I started bringing in the left over food and dishes.  Suzanne had washed some of the bigger pans and bowls we used and put some of the silverware in the dishwasher.  Before everyone left I told them we needed to get some pictures.  I got the selfie stick out and got our "traditional" group photo of everyone. 

Mom got individual pictures of people with her really good camera.

I thanked everyone for coming over and celebrating the 4th of July a little earlier without fireworks because living in town kind of frowns upon it.  It just worked out with everyone's schedule and Erika was visiting for a few days so I thought it would be cool for everyone to get together for food.  Erika had planned on coming home for Christmas this year so that's probably when we will see her next.

Next Adventure:  Rainier Vista Park Fireworks and Faderade