Sunday 10 (4th of July Weekend style)

We had such a great 4th of July weekend. So great that I spent half the week feeling depressed that it was over. Its not that we did anything incredible, its just that it was fun! (it also helped that it seemed it lasted 3 days this year rather than just the one we get to celebrate on normal years!)

1. We headed up to Kamas on Friday to spend some time with our peeps up there. My mom's parents were also up for the night so it was fun to get to spend time with them! Summer in Kamas is truly bliss. So for about 2-3 months. The rest of the year, well is not quite as wonderful. But my boys have such a good time up there (especially in summer) and seem so entertained. My parents yard is pretty much all they need.

2. Tanner spends much of his time helping grandpa out in the yard. Benjamin had a great time with one of the cats. He just sat out there alone for probably a half hour just loving and playing with the cat. What a good cat!

Hugging the cat. . .

Kissing the cat. . .

And of course playing!

3. Saturday morning my parents' ward started early with a sunrise breakfast and then later in the day there was a barbeque at my parents with all my grandparents and some aunts, uncles, and cousins. Good times and very good food. And of course, the slip-n-slide got pulled out. Spencer, Trevor, Tanner, Benny, and Nicole were the only ones brave enough to try it out though. They are all pretty good but I still think Daniel is the slip-in-slide champion and probably always will be. (Unless he really has gotten too fat in Brazil. . . )

Tanner was funny, he would jump on the plastic and then do somersaults

all the way down the rest of the plastic. He will learn. He has great teachers. (I wish the video of Spencer and Trevor wasn't so long. They are crazy.)

Getting so big! But oh so skinny

Benjamin would sit at the end of the long plastic and tell them to go, and would giggle crazily as they came flying down the plastic to him, and usually past him. Fun times.

Waiting for the next slider and playing in the water.

4. Saturday night we got talked into going to Sugar House Park in Salt Lake for their big fireworks display. It was actually so much fun. We all had a great time and even though it is absolutely crazy to get out of that place, and we didn't get home until 1 am, the fireworks made it worth it! They were huge - lasted at least a half hour - and had a GREAT finish. Everything you need for a great show. So instead of watching stadium of fire fireworks that were a bit of a disappointment last year, we were glad we were there this year! The boys LOVE them. Benjamin is so hilarious. He couldn't stop talking and exclaiming through it all. . . . Unfortunately I didn't take pictures that night.

5. Sunday, the 4th, was mostly a normal Sunday. I think we were all exhausted. But later in the afternoon our neighbors invited us over for dinner and fireworks. They are a part member family and not active at all, and we love them so we couldn't say no and offend right? Lets just say, Spencer ended up playing all night with a couple of neighbor friends lighting fireworks. Illegal fireworks. Very big. Our one neighbor had to have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars (in Wyoming) on all the fireworks he had. But they sure had fun! Oh and the kids had fun too of course. But its funny to watch grown men play and act so much like children. By 10 o'clock I made our boys go to bed, but Spencer stayed up who knows how late. Lets consider it fellowshipping. And since Spencer was the only one not drinking and smoking, we could also consider it supervising too . . . . . right?? Anyway, we have some great missionary opportunities.

6. Monday morning we got up bright and early, despite the late nights, to head to the big parade in Provo! Trevor and Nicole had camped out with other friends to get a sweet spot on the parade route. Very nice of them. It was a very fun parade! Tanner did complain that they didn't throw candy, but besides that everyone enjoyed it. Especially Benj. Man what a difference a year makes. Last year I remember he fell asleep during the parade. This year, he was so into it and didn't want to miss a thing. He loved it and would dance with every band that passed!

Nicole and Tanner watching. . . .

7. After the parade we headed up Provo Canyon with my family to the Upper Vivian Park. I never knew there was an Upper Vivian Park. I'd never been there and can't believe it because it was so beautiful and so fun and just perfect up there. We just put our blankets and chairs under a big tree and enjoyed the rest of the day!

Look how long his legs are getting!!!!

8. My dad took off for a little walk with Benjamin up on his shoulders. My dad said he suddenly felt him go completely limp and he fell asleep like that! I wish I had been there to take a picture of that but oh well. Benj loves his grandpa.

9. At one point Tanner and I hiked up the creek a ways. Tanner is very into rivers these days and knowing where they come from, and where they go and pretty much everything about them. I think he's inherited his father's fishing obsession and infatuation with rivers. He wanted to take a picture of every rock and piece of water. Pretty cute kid.

Later in the day Tanner and Benny had a good wrestling match too. So funny when they do this. Its what every little boy needs. Benjamin absolutely loves it and I think Tanner does too although I know he isn't trying very hard. Tanner is so good and it amazes me how he has always just kind of known how gentle or hard he can be with his brother. He's never hurt him in his life that I can remember. Ever. Pretty amazing especially for boys. And Benj just adores him.

And I really don't know why Benjamin was naked. Oh wait.

Maybe it was because of this

10. It was a great afternoon. Katie was also able to join us since Nic was away as they are two little world travelers! So that was fun to see her. There was also a little soccer, good food, games, and just relaxing. Fun Times! I love the 4th of July!!!