4th of July

Our 4th of July this year was jam-packed with activities- very fun- and completely exhausting. We started the morning with a 7:30 am flag ceremony, patriotic message, and breakfast with our ward. It was a wonderful way to start the morning and I hope that they do it every year! I loved starting our day off being grateful for all those who have or are serving and fighting for my family's freedom. After the flag ceremony we headed down to the river for a fun day of BBQ's and boating. My dad recently purchased two of these jet-skis. I have never been a fan of jet-skis in the past, but had also never tried them. We have so many people in our family now that it's hard to all fit on the boat, so the jet-skis give us a break to go out with the kids and have fun. I am now converted- I had a blast on those things! Especially because I am too chicken to wake-board when I am pregnant. Some would tell me that's overly cautious- I still don't dare.

Shelby and Wyatt on the Sea-Doo. Shelby has his normal shirt on still because when we first got there the Sea-Doos had come untied from the dock, so Shelby dived in to swim to save them before they floated down to the damn and then just decided he'd leave his wet shirt on to protect from a sun burn- weirdo. Wyatt loved loved loved the jet-skis and has the biggest grin the entire time on them. If he rides with Daddy or one of his brave uncles, he gets to drive and thinks he's pretty hot stuff- he loves to turn in tight circles though- so no riding with Mommy or I know he'll make me sick!

Austin and Dawson on the Sea-Doo.
Livvy did finally ride on the 'little boats' with me, but since I was driving her, I didn't get a picture. It was not done willingly, but once we got going she loved it. She now calls it the 'little boat that is only for girls.' During our ride she started to feel a bit heavy and I looked down and she was totally sacked out! She must have been exhausted. So Grandma Turner came to the rescue and gave the Princess a nap in her arms.

Wyatt just could not get enough of all the water- below he is riding the tube for the first time with Cody and Tori. He loved it, but was not about to let go long enough to wave to Mom!

Hailey and Blake also came to town for the weekend- and since they are the favorite Aunt and Uncle (just ask the kids- they spoil them all rotten)- they always bring fun activities for the kids. This time it was a star-shaped pinata. Wyatt absolutely could not stand it- he begged all day to break that thing open. Being the red-neck family that we are- we hung it from the swing set with baling twine and the kids broke it open with an old broom stick and a piece of pipe :). They loved it.

We watched fireworks at Austin and Amber's house in town and Wyatt and Livvy had a blast doing their sparklers for the first time. Aunt Hailey had put some fun glow sticks in the pinata as well- they loved it all.

I hope that everyone else had a wonderful and eventful 4th! All the activities that day made me all the more grateful for the freedom that I have to enjoy life with my family doing all of the activities that we choose to do. God Bless America!