4th of July

We got up early again on Monday morning and headed to the 4th of July parade! I have awesome siblings who slept on the street to save us all a spot.

Adam was so excited when he got to break a board with his hand!

Now he talks about how much strength he has cause he broke a board. We are hoping he doesn't try that again on his own!

Our crowd

Vincent and Matt...not so thrilled after attempting to sleep on the street all night.

Katy and Ben

Mom and Kathleen

Tessa and David

Adam and David

Adam loves parades! He waved his hands and his flag at everyone!

We were lucky enough to have a horse stop right in front of us...then it started peeing. Then the pee started streaming down the street....right into us, our blankets and everything else we had. Poor Eric tried to get stuff to stop it from coming, but it didn't work. The rest of us weren't much help because we were all laughing so hard. It will be a parade we never forget!

Adam was sad when it ended. I think he could have sat there all day long!

After the parade we headed to my parents house for our annual 4th of July BBQ. We had quite the crowd this year!

Matt and Vincent

Adam and David

Vincent, Matt, and Danny

The kids enjoying their popsicle's

It was raining when it was time for fireworks, so we all watched from the carport while my brothers braved the rain. David declined his interpretive dancing this year. He said it wasn't appropriate for a missionary. We will miss his dancing the next 2 years. Tessa only agreed to come out and watch fireworks if she got to listen to music. The "Black Eyed Peas" kept her happy.

We still have several things going on this week, but it was nice to have a break from some of the craziness and spend time with family. We are thankful for our freedom and for those who sacrificed and continue to sacrifice so much for our freedom! God Bless America!!!

Ma's Birthday

Sunday was my Mom's birthday. We spend the afternoon and evening celebrating with her. I made her my yummy fruit tart for a birthday cake. We love her so much and are so thankful for all that she does for us! Happy Birthday Ma!

The kids were so anxious for her to open the presents that they started opening them without her. Next year I'll hide half the presents so she actually gets to open some.

Stadium of Fire

Saturday evening we went to BYU and watched fireworks with the Nielson's. Adam LOVED the fireworks! Tessa....not so much.

Tess giving Uncle Matt a kiss

Showing off our hats

Tessa found the Swedish Fish

Eric and Gordon helped the kids with some sparklers.

Tessa wasn't a big fan of any noises that evening.

Adam patiently waiting for the "big" fireworks.

Our cute boys!

Tessa about smothered herself in my neck. She wanted nothing to do with the firework show. As always, the fireworks were amazing! We love the 4th of July!

Balloon Launch

We have had a busy 4th of July weekend! It has been a wonderful weekend celebration. We started celebrating early Friday morning by going to the balloon launch in Provo at 6am. We were excited about going this year because a new hot air balloon came to Utah. Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers were there to welcome the giant Darth Vader hot air balloon. It was early, but we had so much fun spending some quality time together!

We were excited to find Smokey the Bear.

It was a beautiful morning!

Adam and Tessa loved the soda bottle balloon. They don't fly it because it is too difficult to land. It is 187 feet tall!! As soon as they blew it up, Tessa was on cloud nine! Her dream come true...a giant soda bottle!!!

Adam was trying to measure the soda bottle balloon with his hat.

David with President Kenison, President Killpack, President Stratton, and Bishop Sokolowski

After we watched the balloons for the couple of hours, we headed to my parents house for my brother David's setting apart as a missionary. He doesn't leave until Wednesday, but the entire stake presidency was going out of town, so they had to do it 6 days early. It was a beautiful moment for my family and we are so proud of David!