For those of you who don't know, Ben grew up on a farm with all of his cousins (11 total), aunt and uncles and paternal grandparents. They are a very close family with lots of traditions, one of the biggest is their 4th of July celebration. The first celebration was in 1976 and has grown since. This year close to 350 people attended. On Wednesday morning (or 2 days before the 4th) a huge fire is started in a "brick oven" underground. By the time evening comes the fire has died down and the meat goes in. They cook 2 whole pigs, chicken, goat and beef. The meat is seasoned, wrapped in foil, then cheese clothe, and then long tubes of chicken wire. It is then quickly placed into the brick oven. The lid is closed and completely covered with dirt. The meat cooks until the morning of July 4th, when it was served for lunch. The Stites family mainly provides the meat, drinks and paper goods while all the guests bring side dishes and desserts. The Stites women also add a few of their own sides and desserts. I'll admit, I went through the line early to make sure I got some of the Stites' food (it really is the best.)
Preparing the pig
Watching the men cover the pit with dirt...with Sarah
Helping Daddy put the last little bit on top
These boys, and I call them boys because all of them except Ben and Matt complained about every shovelful of dirt them moved, uncovered the pit on the 4th of July.
Of course Hampton and Isabelle helped.
This year several of Ben and Matt's college teammates came to visit. It was fun to catch up and meet the new additions to their families. The Tuley's, the Justice's and the Leslie's came to celebrate!
Brittany and Hampton
Hampton and Carrigan played well together in the ice. Hampton didn't leave these buckets for at least an hour. He moved ice and water from one bucket to another and handed people drinks.
Dadoo serving meat - Ben's brother
Quite a spread
The line
The Leslie Family
The Justice Family
With Ma and Papa...the ones who started the whole celebration
My sweet boys
3 of the 4 Stites girls...what sweet cousins!!!
He found the creek!!!
What a fun day!!!
4 comments:
That is such a cool tradition! How fun. Love the last picture of you three. Cute, cute fam.
Great posts, Eli. What were you doing to ben to get him to smile so big in that last photo??
oh wow, that is the coolest family ever! i love that tradition. even the pig!
and in the last pic?? guess who looks just like his MOMMA?!?? what a doll!
love you, girl. i've thought about you so much lately!
chrys
Elizabeth, I have never read or seen a better review of our July 4th Celebration. Bravo!!
I loved your family picture in front of the flag and what a cute farm boy in the creek!
Thanks so much. Gran
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