Let Freedom Ring

We love to celebrate the 4th of July around these parts.  I have always loved the holiday and the fun that comes along with it, but I think it was my 5th grade teacher, Mr. O, that truly instilled in me a love for this amazing country that we live in.  He taught me that because so many others have made the ultimate sacrifice I can live a life that I truly love in a country that is truly free.  Because I am an amer.I.CAN.  We celebrated in traditional style.  We enjoyed the Primary parade on the evening of the 3rd, by riding decorated bikes down a simmering main street in order to receive an icy popsicle from the local royalty.  We spent that night sleeping on the grass in our backyard so that we wouldn't miss the 6 a.m. cannon salute.  I heard it, everyone else slept through it...

The next morning was parade time.  All decked out in RW&B to show our patriotism.

Can't you tell they are excited...  Emma didn't want her picture taken as usual

We had fun sitting by cousins at the parade

and enjoying most of the parade entries, the fire engine was a bit to loud for Allie's liking

Our favorite part of the parade, Madison dancing with her summer dance class, I think this is the 5th year she has done this, how is she that old already?

Emma's boots, this was the 4th year she has worn them, I am pretty sure they were a bit sung and weren't very comfortable, but she insisted, and who am I to object so such patriotic apparel.

The park after the parade is always full of fun and people.

See what I mean about the picture thing...

The train is a tradition, and this year we sent the kids on their own.  It was fun to see them enjoy it so much.  Allie screamed when it was time to get off.

C.J. decided to do the fish grab this year.  That's right fish grab.  There are pools set up and a bunch of slimy, stinky, trout put into the water and when they say go you jump in and catch one with you bare hands.  C.J. was excited and ready, but I think the competitiveness of it all was to much for my boy, he stood back and let everyone else have a turn.

We also enjoyed plenty of snow cones in an attempt to stay cool in the heat. 
Later that afternoon we went to G&G Thalman's house for a pool party, BBQ, and fireworks.  Allie loved the sand an water table.

The kids loved the pool

and Tom became the official "throw me in the pool" guy.  These girls couldn't get enough.

This boy, on the other hand, loved running to dive in on his own. 

I enjoyed sitting on the side lines soaking it all in.  The beautiful day, the people I love, the reason we celebrate this great day of freedom.

Happy 4th of July 2012

soft/baseball

 These kids loved playing softball and baseball this year.  It was crazy with all three of them playing, we had 2 games every night 4 nights a week. It was busy, most nights we didn't have dinner until about 8:30 and half the time it was cereal, but it was a good price to pay for so much fun.

 Emma did a great job.  This was her last year of coach pitch, thank goodness, it was a little slow for all of us.  Her favorite part of playing was all of it. 

 Madison loved softball more than ever this year.  Her favorite part was pitching.  She worked on it a lot and really does a great job.  Her facial expression in the picture above is how it looked with every pitch. Very determined.

 She also loved to hit the ball.  Good pitches can be hard to come by in this league, but she had some really great hits throughout the season

 C.J. loved playing this year as well.  He was really sad when the season was over.  He likes to bat, and still asks everyday if we can go pitch to so he can hit the ball.  We invested in a bucket of wiffle balls, he will hit for as long as someone will pitch to him, or until the sun goes down.

He loved being on the same team as 2 of his cousins and was even more excited to add another trophy to his collection.

Big Rock

On Memorial day we took a quick trip to Big Rock Candy Mountain.  We found a few trails to hike on

and spent some time playing in the river.  It was a nice evening after spending most of the morning working in our yard.

We ate some yummy BBQ at the restaurant there.  It was a fun quick get away.

Dance

Madison had her annual spring dance recital.  She did a great job as always!

And here she is with all of her cousins that were in the recital as well.  What a darling group of girls.

Field Day

 Emma had her field day the last week of school, and I love the picture above with her hands in the air and her tongue sticking out, it is just so her.  Did she love field day?... No, not really her legs got tired and it was hot, but she stuck in there anyway.

 She and cousin Jake had such a fun time being in the same class this past school year, and they get to do it again in 3rd grade.  Emma is so excited about it, I just hope the teacher is up for it, because these two are quite the pair!

 Allie hung out with me and helped rake the long jump pit

 and these two loved hanging out at the track with the 2nd graders.

C.J. also officially completed Kindergarten with flying colors and will be moving to 1st grade,  I tear up every time I think about it.  Having him gone all day will definitely be rough on me.

Madi is 11!

 That's right she is Eleven and has been since May.  I can't believe it.  We are so blessed to have her as our oldest child.  She is very responsible and willing to help. 

 As you can tell from the cake her favorite colors are blue and green, she loves to play softball, dance, and gymnastics, and will love us one day for making her practice the piano and take lessons.

 She is beautiful and smart and has a sense of humor that rivals her father's. She isn't afraid to ask tough questions and will stand up for what is right all the time.  She is a great friend and is very conscientious about the needs of others.  She has a strong testimony of the gospel and a mature spirit.  She is always pointing out the positive in every situation,  and looking for the good in others, and I am so grateful for that...

 Her birthday day was crazy.. all three of the older kids had softball or baseball games.  I was in charge of young women's that night as well, so her cake and gifts came pretty late in the day, but she was a great sport about it.  She received the fluffy green blanket and pillow she had been eying for a while as well as a journal, new clothes and a box of twix candy bars, her favorite.

Happy Birthday Madi, we love you!                                           5-22-2012