A birthday and a rodeo

James turned 4 yesterday.  He is really into the whole Disney "Cars" thing.  Dave and I gave him several, including a light-up Lightning McQueen.  He asked his mom if he could come up to my house to play them with me.  Of course, I loved it. 

Then we celebrated his birthday at the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo with him that evening.

Happy Birthday, James.  What a joy you are to all of us!

Alex turns 22!

Alex's last two birthdays were spent in Korea.  So we really enjoyed being able to celebrate his birthday with him this year.  We ate dinner at the local Wingers because they give you free Concrete pie when it is your birthday.  Best reason I can think of for eating there!

Here are some of my favorite things about my oldest son:
-He is very thoughtful of others and their feelings.
-He has a great sense of humor.  He and I can laugh for hours at so many things.  He is really good at impersonating people.
-He has always been a very obedient child. 
-He has also always been very independent.  He never asks for anything.
-He is a very grateful person, always thanking someone when they do things for him.
-He has a very strong testimony of Jesus Christ.  He had many trials during his mission to Korea.  But he never complained about anything.  He just perservered and served the Lord with all of his heart, might and strength.
-I love you, Alex!!!
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Double Bottom Bumps

Dave's brother, Alan, started this tradition.  It has spanned several generations now.  And kids love it.

Steph comes for a visit

I've missed my little girl since she moved to Michigan last summer.  It is so fun to have her here. We have been swimming, shopping, crafting and just hanging out together, with the fam.

One night we went to Ash and Jud's for a cookout.  The little boys loved having Aunt Steph jump on the trampoline with them.

Last Saturday we had a Girls Day Out.  We started with breakfast at the Straw Market.  Their ginormous cinnamon rolls are so soft and chewy I can hardly stand it!

We "shopped till we dropped" at the Gateway.  Then ate a late lunch at CPK. 

What a blessing for a mother to be able to spend time with all three of her amazing daughters.  It's what heaven is to me!

I am a Yankee Doodle girl.

I really do think the 4th of July is my second favorite holiday.  I absolutely love everything about the day.  Not only is it a chance to celebrate the birth of this great nation, but it is just a darn fun day. 

I like to do a little decorating in the house.  I had to put them up before we went to Alaska.

Ashley, Dave, Alex and I ran the Cherry Days 5k early that morning.  That has become a tradition over the years.  This year it was overcast.  Although the sun wasn't blaring down, it was humid.  So it was harder to run it than I thought it would be.

We also have to go the North Ogden Cherry Days parade.  The F-16s did their fly over.  There were no skydivers this year.  Sad.

Ash and Jud had put down chairs, the night before, to ensure we had a good spot for the parade.

Lily tends to overheat, so she stayed under the umbrella quite a bit.

Jud's two nieces, Abby and Miley, always look so cute.

Olivia was hot and sweaty.  Poor little kid.

After the parade we had to hurry home and finish getting our yard ready for our annual barbecue and pool party.

I am so glad my flowers didn't die while we were in Alaska.  I pulled them all over to the side of the house where a sprinkler could water them.  It worked pretty well.

The people and the food arrived within the hour.

For those not wanting to swim, there was plenty of shade to relax in.

You can see the upside down life jacket the guys used for their annual  basketball game in the deep end.

You couldn't pay me to play that game.  There is always a bit of blood.

Vicious.  They will go so far and to hold each other under the water if necessary.

Jack and James made sure they got their fair share of the cupcakes.

Several hours later, when everyone was hungry again, we went to Farr West for Greek Food.

And to top off an absolutely perfect day, fireworks.  Let freedom ring!

Happy Birthday, America.  I love to celebrate your special day!