Independence Day Part 3

We went to the festivities at the park.  There was plenty to do.  Tons of shopping and playthings for the kids. 

Usually every year our family puts a booth in.  This was our first year not doing that.  (with my Grandfather being sick, we didn’t want to commit).  It was so much more relaxing without the booth.  Don’t get me wrong the booth is alot of fun.  But this was nice for a change. 

With all the extra time on our hands we were able to do lots of fun things.  We took the kids to the old town jail. 

Katey and her cousin

 

Daddy had lots of time to play around.  

We were able to fit in lots and lots of four wheeling.

We rode up to the old town school and learned about The Winter Quarters Mine Disaster.

We took plenty of walks as well. (I don’t know that we were all happy about that)

Normally our weekend would have been spent rotating shifts in the booth.  But this was so much fun and so much more relaxing.  We all really enjoyed ourselves.

We were in an Independence Day Parade. (part 2)

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Every year we head down to my families cabin to celebrate Independence Day over the 4th of July.  There are lots of festivities that go on in this small little town.  One of them being a parade. 

Our family has 2 floats.  One of them is a truck we decorate and throw candy (and novelty toys) from.  This is known as “the little kids float”.

The next one is a trailer pulled by a four wheeler.  We decorate that and fill up garbage cans with water.  We have these giant water guns made out of PVC pipe.  We squirt cool people off during the parade.  This is known as “the big kids float”

We have been doing this for so long that the parade watchers have come to expect it and they are usually ready and waiting with buckets of water and hoses to get us back!  You could say it turns into a town water fight.   They do position us toward the end of the parade (whether it’s got to do with the water or us not being able to get to the line up early enough is yet to be determined)

For the last 2 years we have also had Katey and her cousin in a Hummer decorated and throwing candy. 

If you have never entered a float in a parade, I highly recommend it.  It is so fun to be able to be in the parade.  It is a lot of work, we are lucky enough to have a big extended family that helps out with the work and expense of it. 

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Independence Day Weekend part 1

 

Our holiday weekend was so packed full of fun I am going to spread it out over a couple of posts.

It has been a tradition in our family for many years to go up to the family cabin in a very small town over the Independence Day weekend.  The town has a small festival along with a parade and fireworks. 

Our extended family is so big that we could not possibly all fit in the cabin.  It’s a good thing a few of us have trailers.  We also set up tents in the front yard.  We gather and spend most of our time outside enjoying the weather and each other. 

When I say extended family, I mean extended.  The owners of the cabin are my Grandfather and 2 of his brothers.  So all of each of their kids and grandkids and great-grandkids come.  It’s a crazy place of getting to know people all over again.  This is usually the only time of year we see most of them, aside from the occasional wedding or funeral. 

We do all of our meals potluck style with one of the “main owners” families in charge of the main dish.  This year, that was not us.  I brought a potluck apple salad. 

Apple Salad

cube up a bunch of apples

add in some cool whip and nutmeg and/or cinnamon

cut up some of your favorite candy bars and mix in.  (my favorite is Reese’s PB cups, some people like Snickers)

This salad is so good, people will be asking you for the recipe. 

Tyler 1st Birthday Party

Tyler turned ONE on July 1st!  We celebrated his birthday the weekend before. 

We had Sanpete BBQ Turkey.  It is a family favorite. 

The recipe is:

3-5lbs of boneless turkey pieces.

1 part soy sauce

1 part Sprite (or any lemon lime flavored soda)

1/4 part oil

Horseradish to taste

Garlic to taste

Let it marinate overnight and the next day.

BBQ it up for dinner! 

~YUMMY~

 

 

  

We spent time with family opening presents.  He got a new swimsuit and floating toy.

 

He got lots of new clothes and toy trucks.

He got a new ride on toy.  A Radio Flyer Retro Rocket.

This is his cake. 

I made some cupcakes and put pieces of yarn under them then Tyler’s own cake was the white one at the bottom.  We also had ice cream sandwiches.

I prefer cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches at my birthday parties as opposed to the more traditional cake and ice cream, because I don’t want to have to worry about cutting cake and dishing up.  Plus, it cuts down on the amount of dishes we use.  Call me lazy, but it works for me.

 

Here is the picture you have all been waiting for…

Tyler eating his first cake!

My baby is 1!

One year ago I was in the hospital.  Ready to meet my little one. 

I have to admit I was so ready.  I was so done being pregnant.  I am so glad that he is happy and healthy. 

My little 6lb 8oz baby is now a 23lb boy!

It’s amazing how long a year is when your trying to have a baby, and how quickly it flies by once you do.

We are so grateful to have Tyler as a part of our family.  I THINK that he completes our family.  Saying that makes me happy and sad.  Time will tell.

 

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Mother Daughter Date

Emily and I went on a date.  Just us.  We went shopping and got this cute matching sunglasses.  Then we hit a few more stores for some window shopping.  Lastly we went out to eat.  She ordered off of the “adult” menu and ate it all.  We took our time and just enjoyed each other.  We even got a little silly sometimes.  We were able to talk about anything we wanted, and we did. 

I really feel that this is important to do for my children right now in our lives.  They need to know that they are special as individuals. 

I sometimes rely on Emily too much.  She is an amazing help.  She helps with Tyler with everything.  She reads to Katey.  She helps with housework, and cooking.  She helps with anything I ask her to.  I worry that it’s taking away from her “childhood”.  After tonight I know that she is happy with it.  She still has plenty of time to do what she wishes.

I just want her to know how much I truly love her!  She is a very important part of our family!

Emily, I love you!