Not much of a change from tradition here. Love this day so much. It was a little different because Justin didn't get there until around noon (he had to set up flags with the scouts early and then drove down, I was already in Plain City). Even though the 4th is always my thing that he goes along with, he's still my sidekick and I realized how many people I don't know these days in that little town that is growing so fast. I felt slightly out of place without him, but I still had my family so it was all good. Just better when he got there.
The bike parade is always first! We decorated our bikes at grandma and grandpa's the night before. Molly took her electric scooter (she is way too big for her bike these days, plus she is embarrassed because it's not her style anymore).
Then we watch the actual parade. None of my kids are too old to match with their cousins. Ivy figured out really quickly how to fetch the candy and put it in her bag.
Ivy, Brynn, Harper
Grant and Stockton
Chloe, Abby, Molly
Then to the square for games. Stand in line forever for face paint. Next year we are not doing this. Ali thinks she can buy paints and do it herself. Molly walks around with Abby and they do what they want. Good thing she had earned all that money selling cookies just the day before.
Spencer, Molly, Brynn
Then when we are sufficiently roasting it's back to grandma and grandpa's and the pool. Ivy took a nap first and then swam. Everyone else stayed in all day. We got out the volleyball net that we gave my parents for Christmas last year. We also had a water balloon fight.
Brynn, getting a little boost from Justin
Jeff and Justin taught Grant and Stockton all about chicken wars
Abby, Spencer, Stockton, Gavin, Tessa, Chloe, Ben, Ben's friend, Grant
Then poppers, a barbecue, and 4-wheeler rides with dad. Some sparklers. Then the big fireworks that Jeff always gets.
Chloe, Molly, Gavin
Justin, Jeff, Bryce, Christopher
Chloe, Molly, Stockton
Then a rush to jump in the back of the truck and drive over to Fremont for the Plain City fireworks to end the day.
Some of Justin's family ended up coming to our house for a laid-back barbecue, campfire, and other fun stuff. While we were waiting for them to arrive, I taught Molly how to play Settlers of Catan. She caught on great and ended up beating me.
Shucking corn with Grandpa Gene. Playing Wet Head. Talking Grandma into jumping on the tramp. Camille's boys love the Jeep so I always make sure to have it nice and charged for them to drive around the yard.
Ivy, Grandpa, Micah, Riley, Stockton
Molly, Micah, Cameron, Stockton, Brynn, Grandma
Brynn and Riley
S'mores around the campfire. Notice the nice new stones that Justin and Brett built around the firepit. Ivy driving Micah around in the Jeep was funny.
Cameron, Stockton, Riley
Stockton, Grandma, Molly
Micah and Ivy
I am glad that my kids are able to have days like these...carefree and relaxed, just like a childhood should be. Glad I live in this country where we have the freedoms we do. Grateful for the sacrifices that the pioneers made.
Yes, you read that right. Brynn is 18 months old!! She is so fun to have around the house and I haven't done a post devoted just to her for a while, so I thought it was about time. -She loves books! She was never really that interested until sometime in the past couple months and now she can't get enough. Sacrament meeting went from impossible to we can make it through...as long as I pack enough books for her. This is how I often find her at night or during nap time. -She also loves blankets and towels, although she is not particular about which blanket. She just wants something soft. She wants to walk around all over with them wrapped around her...they don't stay very well and she gets frustrated. For that reason, I try to keep her blankets out of sight during the day. They come out when it's time to sleep. -Like my other kids, she loves her warm milk! Actually, she'll drink it cold too. -She is a quiet one, always has ...
These pictures took a couple of tries to get them, the first appointment we had scheduled had to be canceled because it was so windy! Luckily the weather held out for us, and even though it was quite chilly, the kids cooperated beautifully and the pictures turned out great! Molly, age 6 -likes to watch My Little Pony -is an awesome reader -loves breads/baked goods -happily plays whatever her siblings want to play -but also likes video games and making crafts/coloring/writing/drawing -is doing well in her gymnastics class -has so many friends -is excited about reading t he first Harry Potter -just started S enior Primary -en joys our piano lessons and gets excited to learn new songs Stockton, age 3 -is on a superhero kick, loves to watch Avengers -but still loves his cars, especially playing them with Dad -loves warm milk -is a picky eater and has gotten even worse lately -loves to color -writes his loooong name like a...
Okay, here goes... Day 1: paint clay ornaments When we cut down trees this year there were a bunch of tops already cut down just lying on the ground so we took a couple home...one for Molly and Stockton's room and one for Brynn's room. When the ornaments were dry I hung them on their little trees. Day 2: watch the Christmas Devotional (And eat Christmas corn!) Day 3: library story time Stockton was pretty nervous to see Santa but I think he was even more scared of not telling him what he wanted for Christmas. He's smiling but it's a nervous smile! Brynn had no reaction. Day 4: Santa face craft Day 5: Festival of Lights Day 6: write letters to Santa Stockton: "Captain America" Molly: "an easy bake oven" & "a car for Molly" Day 7: go shopping for cousin exchange and wrap presents Day 8: North Pole Express with Moyes family ...
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