America's Birthday!

This year the Fourth of July was a little weird... I am a little peeved that all the cities around here do their Independence day festivities BEFORE the 4th of July. I understand it's that way when the 4th falls on a Sunday, but not when the 4th falls on a different day of the week. It's like all the cities are trying to compete with each other by getting the biggest crowds, so they have their celebrations on days OTHER than the 4th (because most people are supposedly busy with other things on the 4th??). So now the fad has caught on... and EVERYBODY has their 4th of July celebrations on days OTHER than the 4th of July. So you get your parade(s), fireworks, carnivals, and chuck wagon breakfasts in days before the 4th, and then there's NOTHING to actually DO on the 4th of July (that's why businesses are closed on the 4th, SO THEIR EMPLOYEES CAN HAVE THE DAY OFF TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY!). So anyway I think I've made my point...

We started off the celebrations by going to the WB fireworks on Friday. It was so fun because Lauryn loved them. Preston is still terrified of them but insists on going every year. This year we got smart and the moment he started to freak out when the fireworks started, we put Nate's noise canceling headphones on Preston's ears and cranked up some Abba for him. Then he buried his head in a blanket so he couldn't see or hear the fireworks and he enjoyed the rest of the show comfortably. Afterwards, he said he loved them as usual.

The boys were both so excited to go to the parade in the morning. Friday night in his prayer, Preston said, "Heavenly Father- thank you that tomorrow is the fourth...I mean twooth (2nd) of July (see- even the 5 year olds are confused at the date changes). Please bless they will throw lots of candy at us at the parade tomorrow."

This year we went to the Centerville parade (missed the West Bountiful parade since it was going on at the same time). But we had lots of fun. Lauryn loved it but that was probably mostly because of how darn cute she looked!

What cute kids I have!

It was a great parade.

Even if it wasn't actually on the 4th of July:).

And Preston's prayer was answered...

There was plenty of candy to be had!


On the ACTUAL 4th of July, Grandma & Grandpa Monson had everyone over for a water party. It was going well until the rain hit. But we slipped in some fun before hand. Chris and Lisa were here from Texas and are now officially Utahans again!! They have lived out of state for the last 9 years and are now relocating to Cedar City where Chris will be a professor at SUU. We are so excited to have them back where will be able to see them A LOT more often!

Grandpa played some fun water games with the kids.

The adults tried to avoid getting wet on the sidelines.

And finally a medal ceremony for all the water game olympians.

Matthew, Spencer, Alyssa, Jaimee, Brandon, Preston, Emma, and Lauryn (Conner went missing).

Happy Birthday America!!!