Fourth of July

We had a great, all day celebration on the 4th. We started out the day with the parade. Nate and Ben went down early to save a spot in the shade and Heidi and Aaron and their boys met up with us just before it was starting. The kids LOVED the parade . . . mostly just the candy. They took in a haul. We always just have one community candy bag and it was busting at the seams.

Cute kids! It was fun to hang out with Zack and Austin at the parade. My favorite was when the horses went by. Zack was sitting on my lap. He got really excited and said “dog, dog.”

We had our annual Family Home Evening on being a good citizen and showing respect for the flag on Monday night. The kids took it to heart. They would stand up and put their hands on their hearts every time they saw an American flag pass by.

This is the only time Abby actually picked up a piece of candy. Once she had both hands full, she was content. She didn’t seem interested in eating it, just holding it.

Elise would hand Austin a piece of candy and he would throw it; she would run and get it and give it back to him and he would throw it . . . over and over again. They had fun playing their little game.

After the parade, we went to Heidi’s parents’ house for some yummy Pizza Man pizza and to swim. We love going to the city pool, but it is great to swim in a nice, warm pool without 800 other people around. We are glad they invited us. We had loads of fun. Even though they have their own kids now, Heidi and Aaron still manage to have enough energy to be a fun aunt and uncle.

We came home and cleaned up just in time for my family to come over for a BBQ. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins. They played on the swingset and trampoline, played lawn games, tossed around a football, did some sparklers, made their glow sticks into every possible combination (necklace, bracelet, anklet, hula hoop, jump rope, etc.), and watched fireworks. Nathan and Jacob went home early with Shane, so Ben was very happy that Kellen came over. Nate put some glow sticks inside of a couple of our plastic lightsabers so they could duel in the dark. They were pretty happy with that.

Nate’s 20 minute “Sparkler Safety Seminar”

It was a crazy busy day. I think I am getting a little too old to play all day. I’m feeling pretty worn out, but we made some good memories. I’m thankful to be living the American dream with my little family.