The Fourth of July

Since this is my favorite holiday, it warrants the 45 pictures I posted below.

My day started very early with a 5:45 am wakeup call (after going to bed at 12:30).  We did a Patriotic 5K, and it was super fun (and harder than I thought it was going to be).  Those are huge porch bows in our hair.  We got decked out.  That child sized tiara might have given me a huge headache.  Or the lack of sleep.  Either way, it was really fun. 

After we finished our 5K, we went to Chrissy C.'s house for the start of the Freedom Festival she planned for us.  I love having friends who are patriotic like I am, and who like to throw a full day party. 

Fun run for the kids.  

The little kids ran to the pool and back.  On your mark, get set, GO!

He didn't quite know what to do when he got to the finish line, so he didn't break through the ribbon.  

Very anti-climatic. 

The big kids did a one mile run- two laps around the block. 

Runners take your mark...

GO!

Lap one down. 

Coming around from lap two! 

Finished!

Audrey's turn!

Austin wanted to run more, so Dave took him around one time to run the half mile.  He loved it, and loved seeing Owen yell, "Awwww tree!" as he came around the corner. These two little boys melt my heart. 

He understood how to run through the ribbon this time. 

Post race celebratory donuts. 

We then headed to the parade, where it's kinda like Halloween in July.  The kids get so much candy thrown at them, and everyone loves it.  It wasn't too hot this year either, which was an extra bonus. 

After the parade, we went to KFC (very American, and very disgusting) and then home for naps.  After naps, we continued the Freedom Festival with swimming, and then a BBQ at Chrissy's. I wish I could have taken a picture of the food.  I liked it better than the Thanksgiving meal.  

Then it was time for my favorite part, the balloon release.  Each child writes a wish on a balloon, and then they get to release them. 

The kids wishes:

Joshua has a wiggly tooth that he is very excited about losing, apparently.  He is trying to show the camera his wiggly bottom tooth, hence the awkward/cute little face in this picture. 

My wise, responsible Audrey. How I love her. 

Austie Boy.  He didn't really understand the concept and after I kept asking him what he wished for, he  starting yelling at me, and throwing a fit, so I made up his wish for him. 

Come true wishes! 

Then we headed over to Megan's for a fun night of fireworks. 

Joshua tried to light a firecracker (bobcat?) and then throw it, resulting in a hurt finger.  Lesson learned, I hope. 

The kids with all their glow necklaces and bracelets. 

Happy 4th of July! Proud to be an American!

Summer Theme

Before school let out, I wanted to think of a summer theme for myself. I didn't want the summer to pass only to have me look back and wonder what we did. To be honest, I didn't want it to matter what we were doing, I wanted my theme to be the same. I came up with "enjoy my kids" and "no regrets". My kids are at great ages. Old enough that we can get out and do fun things, but young enough that they still really want me involved in their fun. Even if it's just watching them jump on the tramp, they like when I am near. Even if it's not super convenient for me, I am enjoying this. I know this will not always be the case. 

My "no regrets" can be lumped into categories. 

Technology. I don't always want to be on my phone. Sometimes I can hear it beeping at me, but we are snuggling together, or looking at something cool. I have to fight my urge to immediately leave my kids and go to the phone. "Leave it alone- no regrets". I don't want my kids to remember my face with a pink phone case in front of it.  

Lessons to be learned. I have to remember my kids are that - kids. Sometimes I feel like I maxed out the words one person should say a day by 10 am. But when we are driving and I see a beautiful sunset, even though I don't want to speak another word, I don't want to have any regrets. So I take a breaths and talk about how much our Heavenly Father must love us to send us such beautiful sunsets. Or flowers on a tree. Or  the green grass with wheat bales.  

Patience. Sigh. I need to give myself pep talks with this one. I don't want to lose my temper only to regret it three seconds later.  No regrets, no regrets. 

Last Thursday night, we has unusually cool weather (64 degrees-what?!). The kids jumped on the tramp all night. They begged me to come sit outside and watch them. The dishes weren't done, the laundry wasn't folded (is it ever all done?! I think not) but I left it all and went outside to watch them. When Dave came home he joined me. We sat on the porch swing watching our kids. Before we know it, that tramp will sit empty, I won't have 3,375 pairs of little undies to fold because Austin keeps peeing in his, but I will miss this age. Which is why I am trying my very best to really, really enjoy my kids. And what's not to enjoy watching these kids play a little game of trampoline tag? The dishes can wait. Because time will not. 

June Birthdays

I love birthdays. Dave and I both have our birthdays in June.  This year, it was a big year for Dave.  He turned the big 4-0.  We went to Thailand last January to celebrate his 40th, so he wouldn't let me do anything else.  I wanted to throw a party, he said no.  I wanted to have friends over for cake and ice cream, he said no.  Thailand was just what he wanted.  His birthday was the day after Father's Day, so we started the celebration with Ryan and Jess on Sunday night.

Traditional monte cristo sandwiches for Father's Day dinner.  Coffee cake as "prebirthday cake". 

That's a lot of candles. 

On Dave's actual birthday, Joshua had soccer camp.  Austin wanted to badly to be one of the big boys and play.  He had to settle for watching from the sidelines. 

He did manage to inch a little closer (that's him by the water cooler). 

He had no nap that day and feel asleep on the way to meet the missionaries at SAMs before dinner. 

Joshua was so sweet to help hold him in the cart.  These two, such sweet brothers. 

Dinner for the 40 year old with Jess and Ryan. 

Happy 40th Dave.  You make me so happy. 

We celebrated my birthday a little early while my parents were in town.  I don't believe in birthDAYs.  I think it should be birthMONTH. 

This picture captures the personalities of my boys.  Joshua, my tender heart who is snuggling his mom, and Austin, who is blowing out my birthday candles.  What's mine is his (but not necessarily the other way around). 

A few days later, Dave threw me such a fun party.  He did a "Favorite Things" party and invited some of my favorite people. 

He made these sweet signs and had them up around the house. 

I had no idea how much he was planning for this party.  He never asked me what my favorite foods were.  I would have answered very differently than what he chose to serve, but they were all my favorite things! This was the end of the night, so most of the food was gone, or packed away.  Thai spring rolls from my favorite Thai restaurant, carmelitas, chips and salsa, green apple licorice from Bass Pro Shop, Andies mints, cheese ball and crackers, and Charlston Chews. 

Along with lots of gossip magazines. 

Dirty Dr. Pepper station

I love to get a massage.  If I had my way, I would get one twice a week.  I have found a great masseus that I love, and Dave contacted her and she brought her massage table and gave everyone a massage-even Audrey.  

My friend Chrissy had each friend go around and say something nice about me.  It was such a great night, one I will never forget. 

On my actual birthday, we went to the gym (I ran one mile and then sat in the hall and talked with Chrissy and Felisha-great workout), then Jess watched my kids while I went to get a massage (from Lisa of course), and then we came home to quickly shower because Jess, Audrey and I went shopping. Before we left, my friend Megan brought over this deliciousness.  

A few hours later, it looked like this. 

While shopping I saw this shirt that reminded me of Thailand.  Made me smile. 

That night we got takeout and met some families at the pool for dinner, swimming, and cupcakes. 

It was a great first day of being 34! Can't wait until next birthmonth!