July 4th Weekend FUN

It was a long weekend for the 4th of July (that was on a Sunday this year) full of fun.

On Saturday we took the kids to see Toy Story 3. We all loved it. That night we invited Kristy and Daniel over for a barbecue including yummy candied pineapple made on the barbecue rotisserie. Then we walked over to the park for fireworks. The kids had a lot of fun playing tag with some friends waiting for the fireworks to start. It was windy and cold. Kierra loves talking about fireworks in the sky still.

On Friday Dan decided to run the Freedom 10k which was on Monday the 5th. He took 21st overall and 1st in his age division. He said he doesn't really like the course, but he took 2 minutes off his best 10k that he ran back in January finishing in 38:03.

We got up bright and early so we could see Dan run by and wait for the parade.

Kierra eating her "mallow" (marshmallow) sucker from Uncle Fred.

Kierra and Uncle Fred

Kierra has really taken to my uncle Fred (who most kids are afraid of). She loves to sit on his lap. One time he came over and dropped something off, Kierra was upstairs and did not see him, but heard him. She got upset when she got downstairs and he was not there so we had to run outside so she could say hi. He is moving out of state in just a couple days so we were glad when they could Fred could spend some time with "his little friend" (as they call Kierra) at the parade in Provo. She pretty much spent the whole time with Fred once he got there. Saturday (July 10th) we had a family barbecue for Fred and Lar and kids before they moved. Kierra dragged him upstairs to "cook" in the playroom. It has been fun to see the bond they have created and sad to see them say bye. Then I was surprised to see them again the next day at my house with computer problems. I'm glad we've been able to see them a few times before they have to move. (I don't know why it is doing that font - but I give up trying to change it)

Makayla waiting for the parade. It was pretty chilly when we got there until the sun reached us, which took awhile being we got there about 7 am.

Dan finally made it back to watch the parade with us. He ran the 10k, waited around for awards, then moved the car a little closer, then ran about a mile to where we were sitting, then after the parade he helped us to the car then ran back to his car. He must love to run or something.

After the parade the kids played with friends. Megan and Janika rigged up a water slide and had lots of fun. Makayla had been at a friend's house when she came home she had to join in the fun.

Kierra wasn't much for playing in the water, but she loved the mud.

Then Monday night we went over to my parents' house for a barbecue and FHE prepared by Kristy and Daniel to help with an assignment they had to do for their religion class in school.

Janika enjoying a conversation with her cousin Brayden (that is a couple months younger than her) on the swing.

Kristy had planned a game for FHE, but it ended up just being the kids doing it after everything was over.  They had to all link arms together, feet had to stay touching and they had to work together to get through the obstacle course.

Its not often that you see my dad rolling around wrestling with the grandkids. Our kids are lucky to have such great grandparents. I don't have the pictures (on my mom's camera) but when they were babysitting on Friday night my mom let them raid her closet and the girls LOVED it. They were wearing her skirts, shirts and their very favorite - her HIGH HEELS! They always want to go to grandma's now. They are going to spend the night with them this Friday and she is going to go to DI to get them some "Real clothes to dress up in" (according to Janika & Makayla). They are soooooo excited. Makayla told Grandma "She was the best cause she's going to DI". I think that is so funny. Thanks Mom and Dad for loving my girls and creating fun experiences for them that they will always remember.

At the end of the night Kierra was walking around with this bucket on her head.