Friday, July 29, 2011

Celebrating July 24th...again and again and again!

With July 24th falling on a Sunday, we ended up with a 3-day celebration which didn't seem to end! On Saturday, the kids and I began our day with a great bike ride on the trail behind our home. It goes for miles and miles both north and south so there are countless trails for us to explore in the upcoming months and even years. The kids were so excited for the ride and I was proud of the strength of their little bodies.

Later that day, we went to the much-anticipated neighborhood party at the Lee/Holmes home. We had a huge BBQ, games for the kids, little tractor-lawnmower rides and then ended with an outdoor movie with a screen that spanned almost 2 stories in height! We have the best neighbors and truly live in the most FUN neighborhood ever.Favorite family: the Gleeds!

Jake and Dave

Drive it up, Keaton!


Trampoline fun!

Alyssa and Clara loved the trampoline!
I love Alyssa's big "jump" right here!

Some of the most beautiful girls I know!

Molly- what an incredible lady!

Hunkiest-looking man: my Dave
Meredith brought to my attention that our husbands have something in common: both of them dished up themselves at the BBQ without blinking about helping get the kids their plates! I laughed and told her that this has been going on for years! Even at the Lindsay Family parties, Dave's sisters and mom will dish up the kids while he goes through the line! :) Love you Dave!

Best meat chef on the block: DANA!

Keely and Katie
Let me insert here that Keeley is the greatest teenage girl in the world! I really, really love her. She babysits for me (even though she is 17) and simply loves my kids. We lucked out when her family bought the Johnston's home last year. We just lucked out.

Landon- Austin's best friend and game partner, holding Alyssa for me!

Cutest little one year old in the world! Keaton- you are adorable!

The kids played a fun "spoon" game where they had to string a spoon down their shirts and pass it along to the next person. They loved the game and really got into it!

Faster, Jaxson, Faster!

Taylor was totally into the game!



Cutie Pie Austin was all grins trying to get the spoon down his shirt!

Keeley, world's greatest babysitter, put it down Alyssa's too!

Now the race to un-thread the kids!

It's gonna be a close one......

Down to the last seconds.....

...and it's a TIE!!!!! Seriously! A Tie for the kids!

Beautiful Taylor Jae!

Molly gave the kids rides on Nana's lawnmower-tractor around the yards. The kids LOVED it!

On Sunday, church was awesome as we heard stories of both the old and modern-day pioneers. As a family, we enjoyed a yummy dinner after church.

Saturday Morning (July 23rd) Bike Ride

Taylor and Alyssa rolling down the hill at the park behind our home.

Time for a water break!

Even baby girl Alyssa loved the ride all morning!

Jaxson, showing us that he can bike up steep hills!

Ahhhhh, views, views, views!

Monday was also considered a holiday so the party had to keep going! :) After a great run in the morning, the kids and I ran some errands and then had lunch with one of my former missionary companions, Heidi Thomas Miller, her husband and 2 of their 4 adorable kids. It was so awesome to spend the afternoon visiting with her and Creed. They are so fun and just down to earth. When they left, I heard Dave saying how cool they were and how Heidi is the type of person he could hang with for hours. They have just wrapped up their 3rd year in Germany and now will be moving to Budapest, Hungary for the next 3 years.
My kids LOVED Mallory.

Love this Heidi-girl so much!

Heidi and Creed with Luke and Mallory

In the evening, we enjoyed a great evening at Barbara and Dale's home with Cindy, Carson, Cheri, Steve and Elex. We ate the yummiest food (because the Lindsays can cook) and then had an explosive firework show in the drizzling rain. Dave and Cheri sprang for some great fireworks and they didn't disappoint. In fact, what the kids and I won't forget was almost lighting the neighbor's garage on fire....3 TIMES!!!

Cousins!
Alyssa and Carson

Great times were had and so many fun memories remain from our
July 24th weekend of 2011.

1 comment:

Melissa said...

I just have to say that I'm so glad that my Dad is not the only one who gives the kids a ride with the riding lawn mower. That makes me laugh! But he also, will drive the lawn mower to the store after he has mowed the lawn for a drink. I tell you only in Bear River City. It looks like you had a fun time! Your kids are darling!