4th of July Memories...

I know I'm a couple weeks behind schedule here, but I wanted

to record what our little family did for the fourth of July.

On Sunday evening, we drove up to Brad's sister's house in Hyrum. We were able to do some fireworks in the backyard and sit around a fire roasting marshmallows and starbursts. The kids loved their own private firework show. Here are some pictures.

Olivia running around the fireworks. She did it once before with all her cousins,

and then decided she wanted to do it again, all by herself.

Running with the cousins.

Oohh... pretty.

more pretty....

Sparklers were after the fireworks.

Thankfully we got off without her burning her fingers this year.

She didn't even cry while holding them this year either!

I actually think she even liked the sparklers this year!

We had such a great time and we are so grateful to Jill and Terry for opening their house to us. We love spending time with family and especially when it's for such a special occasion like celebrating the birth of our grand nation. Our kids will always cherish these memories, and so will Brad and I.

Love this.....

(If you click on the picture, it will enlarge it enough to read.)

I don't think I have any single friends that "don't get it," but I thought this was a great explanation of what mom's do all day long. Case in point... I just got home from running errands at 3 different stores. If I had done it sans kids, it would have taken 45 minutes TOPS. But, with kids in tow, it took me 2 hours. I'm glad someone out there understands.

Motherhood

I know many of you have probably seen this, but for the few that haven't, I wanted to share.

It really touched my heart and it gives me the extra strength I've needed lately.

Enjoy.

Sugar Coma

We went camping last weekend for my family reunion. I didn't take many pictures because of all the dust in the air from passing 4 wheelers. BUT, I did capture the following few of my girls...

They look a little stoned, but it's really from a sugar overload...

Tagen didn't actually eat any sugar,

she was just TOTALLY chilling by the campfire...

Enjoying a little dessert before bed....

Feeling the effects of too much sugar.

(Olivia's face cracks me up and Tagen looks drunk.)

The Culprit: Smores.

(P.S. - In my humble opinion, there is only ONE right way to make a smore....

instead of the Hershey's bar, use a Reese's P.B. Cup instead! HEAVENLY!!!)

We had a good time enjoying the outdoors. I forget year to year how much work it is camping with two young kids. I honestly don't know how the Pioneer women did it daily while crossing the plains!