4th of July

4th of July

 After very little sleep for all we were up bright and early to head to the parade.  Matt had left way early to take pictures for the balloon people with Mike so I got the kids ready and took a few pictures before he came home to meet us.  I sure love these three adorable crazies!

 Lucas soaking in his first 4th of July holiday!

 If you can't tell this sign Matisyn made with chalk says "USA rooks!"  (USA Rocks! :) )

 Thanks to Megan and the big kids for saving our seats at the parade super early that morning!  They were perfect.

 CJ and Kiersten, It's weird to think he won't be at the parade next year since he left on his mission.  I found myself taking extra pictures with him in them!

 

 Emi and Sammy with their silly faces.  They sure have fun together!

 David and Matisyn showing how they shake their stuff!

 All the cousins, minus Lucas and Abby.  They were home with Grandma Barb taking naps. 

 The Clowards joined us at the pool that afternoon, and it was a full house!  The yard was still full when I took this picture.  Pretty much everyone from both families were there this year and that means A LOT of kids!  We had a great time visiting, swimming, and eating yummy food.

 My girls can't get enough of the pool.  They spent hours swimming.  Emilyn is getting so confident, and it's so much fun to watch her swim all over all by herself.  The swim lessons were definitely worth it.

 Emi always has to have goggles on...always...and they are always on her forehead within the first few minutes!

 Daddy and Emi having time together

 Such a handsome guy!  Lucas is ready to swim after his big nap.

 Meeting Chloe Pepper for the first time.  You can tell how much he enjoyed it!  It cracked me up because she is so much smaller than him and he looks like he is being bullied!  They are only 6 weeks or so apart, so I'm sure they will grow up and be great friends soon!

 Emilyn was exhausted, but we needed our yearly pool picture before she got out.

 That evening we headed over to the temple lawn to get ready for the Stadium of Fire fireworks.  They always take longer to start than I remember, but are always beautiful.

 Matisyn loves the glow sticks.  The flower was a highlight this year.

 Matisyn was crushed because she fell asleep right before the fireworks started.  She actually started crying the next day because she was so sad that she missed them.  Emilyn crashed part way through.  I guess that's what you get when you hardly sleep the night before and then play like crazy all day!  Lucas somehow managed to stay awake, probably because he got three naps that day.  He amazed me with his interest in the fireworks.  Boys really do love fire!  His eyes lit up when they started and he just kept saying, "oooh, oh, oooh, oh."  It was precious.  Another great year of celebration!