4th of July Berry Cake!

I love the 4th of July! It's so fitting that it's basically the half-birthday of Christmas, because I feel an almost Christmas-y festivity about this holiday. I love the decor and the patriotism and the community vibes - there is nothing bad about this holiday! I especially love staying home and being in our little town, because people really go all out, decorating their golf carts and driving them to the local parade and fireworks. It's just good exuberant fun for all. I make this delicious berry cake every year (it's my big sister's recipe) and I can't believe I haven't shared it here on the blog before. Last year we actually had a #kitchenfail and I dropped this cake on the floor just after I pulled it out of the oven. There was no saving it, it literally smashed into a sopping mess. It was a sad moment, and even sadder when we pulled out forks and tried to eat the parts that didn't actually touch the floor... don't judge. It's really good cake.

The secret ingredient that makes this cake really really special is the moisture factor - the strawberry yogurt gives it an almost pound cake effect (without the extra calories!) And even though Cool Whip is not something I usually reach for in my kitchen, when it's mixed with the yogurt, it is the dreamiest topping. Basically this cake is fit for a unicorn. Make it and wow all your people on the 4th!

Ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix (usually calls for eggs and oil, as well)
- 1 large tub strawberry yogurt (I love the Stoneyfield brand)
- 1 tub of Cool Whip
- strawberries (sliced lengthwise) & blueberries

Method:
1.) Preheat oven and oil a 9x13 glass pan. Prepare cake mix according to the box. This usually calls for a few eggs, oil (I replaced vegetable oil for coconut) and water. Blend everything together.

2. Add in 1 cup of strawberry yogurt to the cake mix. Mix well, until completely blended in. The mix should take on a slightly pink hue - this just makes it good unicorn fun.

3. Pour cake mix into the oiled pan. Bake according to instructions on box, about 33-35 minutes. Cool cake completely before adding whipped topping.

4. To make topping, combine 3/4 tub of Cool Whip with 1 cup of strawberry yogurt. Mix well with a spoon, until completely combined. Spoon on top of cooled cake.

5. Top in a flag design with sliced strawberries and blueberries :)

Notes:
- I baked this cake the night before to ensure that it was completely cooled before adding the topping. If you don't give it enough time to cool, the whipped topping will liquify. Which probably would still taste good, but look kind of unpatriotic.
- This would also be really fun if made into cupcakes! Just follow the recipe on the box for cupcake instructions.

I hope you have the absolute happiest, most patriotic holiday with your friends and family! Celebrate the joy of being an American! And if you happen to make this cake, please tag me on instagram, I'd love to see your creation! - @oykristen #Oy4thofjulycake

P.S. - You can shop my stars and stripes tank here.

Happy Birthday, America!

"Happy Birthday, America!", we would say, and he would answer, "Americaaaaaa!!!"

It was pretty darn cute.

And it didn't get old, hearing him say it. All day long.

Our 4th of July felt like the perfect staycation. Last year it poured rain and we were house hunting on this holiday (best realtor ever is all I have to say about that), but this year we really wanted to savor the sweet 3-day weekend. We stayed home and actually enjoyed this little town of ours! We went to a friend's lake for the day, and then just cruised around on our golf cart, eating popsicles and, of course, wishing America a very happy birthday. Everett even sang his version of the birthday song while we drove - iits very hard to decipher, I just know that's what he's getting at. Our suburb has more golf cart path mileage than actual road mileage, so we can get anywhere we need on our little "g-ride" (that's what we call it). It's such a fun, eco-friendly way to live, and it also turns every little errand into an activity. Because Everett loves loves loves going on a g-ride.

I've celebrated the 4th of July is a lot of different cities, and I have to admit that my hometown is the most wildly festive place to do the 4th of July. It's almost insane how much American pride and celebratory spirit is looming on this special day. It feels like an eventful birthday party that everyone in town is invited to! This community does such a wonderful job of rallying together and getting silly and dressing up and decorating and I have to admit - it's just a ridiculous lot of fun. I'm discovering really special things about this place all the time, things I never realized were so special until I moved away for years. Now that I live here again, especially with my own family, it's really amazing to enjoy and appreciate those things. Like the crazy 4th of July hoopla.

For yesterday's 4th of July festivities, we went to the parade across town and camped out along the side of the road with some dear friends and family. Our friends staked out the perfect location at 5:00am (yes, you read that right), and then provided the crew with coffee and breakfast burritos (and homemade salsa!) Thank you, sweet Koontz family! We enjoyed our morning eats and cheered as the floats and vintage cars passed us by, while Everett caught candy and eagerly stuffed it into his bucket. He had some help from the big kids, so he ended up with more candy than we could ever need in this household. I need to throw it out, because I will be the only one tempted to eat it.

Kid tried to steal my pearls.

Our decorated golf cart! I just had to snap a pic of it all decked out.

Everyone came in their patriotic wear! I love how festive our community is.

Kid stole my drink. Man he's lucky he's cute.

Everett and a handful of his cousins :)

^ She likes to photobomb, so I figured she wanted to be featured. You win, Kelley!

This makes me laugh because Everett looks so bored. While being tossed in the air?!

Kid stole my hat. He's starting to take this, "What's mine is yours" philosophy a bit too seriously.

My little family of three. Slash four. #whoanelly

After the parade was over, we went over to my sis-in-laws (thanks for taking some of these photos, Lauren!) and swam at her pool. Everett fell asleep in the golf cart on the way home from her house because, hello, sensory overload. And I just couldn't help but snap a few sleepy baby photos. He's getting so big, but he's still my little baby when he sleeps. Any other moms know what I mean?? Also, babies in tank tops forever please.

Don't let Stevie fool you. He was LOVING this moment. He's a softy when it comes to Everett :)

We attempted the fireworks later on in the evening, and my little guy liked them for about 60 seconds before he suddenly didn't. He looked at me and said, "No fireworks, Mom! I go home!" And then he scurried up onto the seat of our golf cart and commanded that we join him. Stevie and I just looked at each other and laughed. We weren't too sad though, because any excuse to go home and get extra sleep is welcomed in this family. I expect to have many years ahead to stay up late watching the fireworks, but this year wasn't one of them.

Happy birthday to you, dear America!

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I hope you had the happiest holiday celebrating with your people. What is your absolutely favorite 4th of July tradition?

P.S. - I have to admit - I did have an epic fail on this day. I dropped my gorgeous homemade flag cake on the kitchen floor and it wasn't redeemable. I had to mourn that loss for a minute. #theresalwaysnextyear

P.P.S. - My dress is from Target (here), my hat is from J. Crew (old, but similar here), my shoes are Keds (here) and Everett's shirt is from Old Navy (here).

Happy 4th of July!

Just sitting here on the front porch, drinking the coffee, listening to the rain pelt the earth and watching my babe pitter patter around in front of me. His little feet. Well, his little big feet. He shuffles around, stopping here and there, staring into the yard in wonder as everything is saturated, soggy flowers and limp bushes and a dark sky that doesn't look like it's ready to lighten up anytime soon. A few ants try to peck at his feet, but he's too quick for their nuisance. In this quiet moment, I am reminded of what a thousand previous 4th of July's have meant for me - lots of barefootness, a big juicy watermelon, a zillion cousins running around in sopping bathing suits, perhaps a thunderous Georgia rainstorm like today's, probably some good barbeque, and of course, the epic, magnificent fireworks. My hometown really knows how to put on a show. In fact, in all the years of living other places, even Boston, where patriotism runs deep, I've never experienced a fireworks show like my little suburban Georgia town puts on. Of course, with a baby this year, I won't be venturing out past 9pm to catch those bright lights. But I will probably be right here, lazing around, barefoot, sipping something good, and watching my child discover ants and eat watermelon and watch the sky fall in a melodious pattern. And that. Is lucky indeed.

Thank you to all the men and women who have yielded their comfort, time with their loved ones, and given up the "normal" way of life to fight for our country's freedom. Your service allows me to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, the sweet joy of a safe nation where my babe can play on the front porch in quiet peace. Your service is a gift to every man, woman and child and I am absolutely humbled as I consider what life could look like without our military's day in and day out efforts. Thank you thank you thank you. I wish I could give you a big hug. But my awkward musings will have to do for now.

Happy 4th of July, to every American today :) I hope you enjoy lots of barefootedness, ant-free watermelon (but let's be real, those little guys always manage to tackle it), and crazy chaotic family fun. Oh, and fireworks. Let freedom ring!