The 4th of July is so much more than fireworks and great food. When my boys can sleep peacefully without a thought of anyone that might hurt them and me and the Peff can sit together and not worry about needing to protect our children - that is the true blessing of the 4th of July. Without our freedom, I feel sure our nights wouldn't be so peaceful.
(sorry! pictures loaded backwards!) This was our grand finale tonight! It's funny how fireworks bring out the pyro is grown men. They were sure these fireworks would be better if they put it on a ladder. Gotta admit - it was pretty cool!
I think there were only 2 kids that didn't like the fireworks - but everyone else was outside enjoying the show.
Everyone sitting and enjoying!
Because of the rain we spent the first part of the night inside. The kids thought it was fun to beat Wade and Jeff with balloons! We all thought it was pretty funny too...
The day was absolutely gorgeous! Then at 7pm which was when we were supposed to be to Crystal's house - it started to downpour! This is what happened in about 15 minutes. Walking from our car to her house was like walking across the Portneuf. I wasn't expecting the power and it almost took me out! :) It was gorgeous and clear just in time for fireworks though which is what really mattered most.
The last 3 years we've been here, we have been meeting our awesome group of friends at the parade. Aidan has met his best friends here and so have I. I love these gals!
It took Harry a bit to catch on to the whole thing of the parade. Sitting on the curb and putting the candy in a bag we normally use for garbage was a completely foreign concept. :) He would pick up a piece of candy, eat it and then wait for another piece. By the end of our (very short) parade he finally understand. 
Aidan couldn't wait for the parade! Every day for the last week he has been counting down how many "big sleeps" he had until the parade and fireworks! His big blue lips were a gift from his older girlfriend at the snowcone shack. 
We made the boy's rad shirts at our playgroup last week. Our friend Courtney helped us - she's awesome. You mix flour and water to a pancake consitency and put it in a squeeze bottle. You use it to make whatever design you want. Aidan wanted the transformer face thingy and Harry just did a bunch of squigglies. Then you water down fabric or craft paint and put it in a squirt bottle and spray it on the shirt. You can't see them very well here - but they are awesome and the boys have worn them every day since we made them. (had to wash them at night!)
I've been struggling with the idea of possibly selling our home the last couple of weeks. Its a little small and I felt like it might be time to get some more space. It wasn't until this time that I realized I have been having a 3 year affair with my home! I love this house so much - I would be completely content to stay here forever. I love my hardwood floors, original woodwork inside, the windows, the amazing character, my clawfoot tub...
This post is a little late - but I still wanted to put this up. Seven years ago Jeff and I said 'I will' in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 24. I still remember every detail of that day. Even crossing the street and seeing Jeff waiting there for his belt he had forgotten! I remember sitting with him, waiting our turn - holding hands and watching the other couples sitting nervously around us. We were whispering and laughing and so excited! I knew then that we wouldn't be just any married couple. We love to have fun and hang out and I'm sure anyone that knows us would say we are pretty wierd. Good wierd I hope! 
