4th of July 2025: Our Annual Romenesko Reunion

4th of July, you say? Of course we were going up to Three Lakes and the cottage.

I took a half day on Thursday and we headed to the cottage. Scott had to stop in Lindstrom which brought us to an old favorite for lunch in Taylor's Falls, The Drive In.

Still pretty, pretty good.

Even though it was super hot today, we had to keep our AC on. 

This is the one time of the year where the whole family is together. Exchanging of belated birthday gifts it is.

Theo didn't know what he wanted so he got money.

Meadow got a new hairbrush and the Warriors Ultimate Guide Book.

We all seem to stick to our greatest hits for the 4th weekend. Brittany and Jeff once again made table nachos.

This is making me want nachos back home.

Do we look alike?

I think that with this seating arrangement that you can see how both Chelsea and Brooke look like Brittany, but Brooke and Chelsea don't look anything alike.

The good place. 

Blake already had a quest for the kids to do.

Why does Brooke look this cute at 40? Unfair.

The prize was sunglasses that were even too small for Theo.

Lol.

Blake set off some fireworks before we hit the hay. We needed to be up early for the parade.

Too early you say? We're one of the first 4th of July parades in this neck of the Wisconsin Northwoods.

Blake and Daniel got Bloody Marys as soon as they rolled on. 

We thought we would do the Lion's pancake breakfast before the parade but it's always hard enough getting up early for the parade. 

Somehow we always skip on the 50/50 raffle. Not this year.

Swamp Witch Inn. One of the best floats.

Speaking of. We need to get their fish fry soon. Hear it's one of the best in the Three Lakes-Eagle River area.

Summer candy isn't good, but it doesn't stop the kiddos.

Baby's first fourth or this her second?

First.

I couldn't wait to get back to the cottage and chill in my hammock.

I went to take Viola on a walk when I saw that the woods was on fire. Apparently Blake put a smoke bomb in a hollowed out log and it started on fire.

Whoops.  

Thanks for joining me on my walk Viola.

The kids were playing in the water, so I joined in.

A rare Uncle Picture-taker siting.

The Swamp Witch Inn was handing out temporary tattoos at the parade. Daniel thought putting on his lower back was a good look.

Signature cocktail hour.

Courtesy of Blacob.

Back inside the cousins compared their parade haul.

Daniel and I went to town. Probably for booze.

And more snacks. 

Funcle Blake brought water balloons for the kids.

Gosh, do I hate water balloons. They get everywhere. 

Back to the woods for me.

Someone woke up from her nap to go swimming. 

I got a fancy new zoom lens with an extra camera body recently. So I had to test it out.

I watched baby while her mama was swimming.

After cleaning out our car, I joined in too. 

We finally got to put the new Blackstone to use.

Dan made butter burgers for everyone. Some of you might call these smash burgers.

Everyone agreed these were the best burgers ever.

Core childhood memories right here.

Playing on their phones or getting ready for fireworks?

Blake planned to make french toast for breakfast. We said, hey you could make that on the Blackstone.

Afterwards most of us went for a pontoon ride.

Probably checking out someone's property.

Crystal Creek is magical.

I guess today was an indoor day.

We could see the rain coming in the distance.

And just like that we had a downpour.

After the storm, I caught the neighbors fishing.

Oh! Meadow is finally holding Viola.

I think they made her.

I thought we were getting the fish boil at the Three Lake History Musuem grounds. This is not the good vibes I was expecting.

Due to the rain the moved it indoors to the Reiter Center Banquet Hall. I don't think I ever knew this place was here. 

These kids...

Screens, screens, screens. 

Theo was brave enough to go get his own dessert.

I think we had an extra tickets, so he got seconds.

Oh, this is the good stuff. 

By the time I got my drone in the sky it had already changed.

Still pretty epic.

I didn't have to make dinner this weekend, so instead I made crepes for our final breakfast.

We couldn't quite do it on the Blackstone so this will do.

We'll have to get one of the crepe kits they make for the griddle.

Blake made a contest with the kids to see who could pick up the most garbage.

We need to do this every year.

It's all fun and games until one of the kids (Theo this time) gets second place.

We left the kids behind and drove home just the two of us.

I had to fly out in a few days, so we sent the kiddos with the grandparents. On the way we stopped at the Birchwood Lodge near Rhinelander.

I'd always wanted to stop here as we pass their sign every time we drive to the cottage.

They had an amazing gyro melt. I think we need to get back with the Romenesko clan some other time.

Just be forewarned, it's a Chicago sports bar.