The fourth!

We filled our Independence day with food, family, and friends. We started our morning with a good early workout. Then, after showers, Charlie and I went to get doughnuts and picked up some pizza for lunch. During this time Max went around cleaning the whole house with his feet. He recently has had a bulging disc which has caused a lot of pain in his back but he does not know how to rest. The extra funny thing is that later, we caught Charlie cleaning up some things with his feet. I love those boys of mine. Anyway, when we got back, we worked on cleaning some more. We then cooked the pizzas in time for some friends from BYU to stop by. We hadn't seen them in years. So it was exciting to catch up and meet their little boy Henry. Just before they left on their way, the three sister missionaries came over so they could celebrate part of Independence day with us. Our friends, The Jensens, also came over so we all left together to go to my grandma's house for the parade, a BBQ, and the firework show at the High School.  

We like bringing people with us to my grandma's house, there is always plenty of food to go around and it's fun to celebrate with friends at the high school. 

Funny Side Story...When we walked in we immediately found out that my cousin Kim had previously dated Spencer Jensen. Haha, and there they were with their respective families 10 years later. 

Shortly after arriving we went out to the parade. It is just a local neighborhood parade that goes down my Grandma's street but it is still pretty impressive. 

Lexi waiting for the parade

Kim and Chloe

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Charlie...patiently waiting in the heat!

Seeing as we don't live on a street, I don't think Charlie will ever learn to not run in the street. 

The parade started with three police motorcycles circling the street. 

There were even horses. 

and fire trucks!

And this thing!

After the parade we prepared our shish kabobs. and Max fired up the BBQ. there is always an excessive amount of food at these gatherings. 

We stayed inside most of the time because of the AC. It made for not as great photos.

Miles and Charlotte

These kids were all about pretending they were puppies. 

Daddies and their babies. 

Sweet Cora

Looks like Cora and Aaron are becoming great friends. 

Little Charlotte

A little after 8pm we headed over to the high school with the Jensens and the Elders. (The sister missionaries left and the elders came.)  

Charlie was pretty excited about riding the police motorcycle, then he pushed a button and a loud alarm went off and startled him. 

So then he got to "drive" the ATV

We then found our spot to set up camp on the football field.  Max took Cora and Charlie to go climb on the life-flight helicopter. 

We passed the time by dancing. They were playing loud music over the stadium.

I'm pretty sure YMCA as playing...I'm guessing they were on the "C"

I was impressed with how much Max could dance with Charlie with such a sore back.

The Jensens were dancing too!

Cora and her Cheeto fingers.

The crowds.

We were also able to meet up with our friends, The Thornton family. 

This was Miles' happy place...for awhile. 

Just before the fireworks were about to start. Miles started getting fussy and even though I was giving him a bottle, he started getting mad that he was in the Moby wrap.

As the fireworks started Miles was still screaming. Once Max held him close with Charlie he was completely calm watching the fireworks. I'm glad my boys aren't afraid of the fireworks. 

And then, I was super excited to try out my new tripod that Max found at a garage sale for me. I really love practicing with my camera in new environments so it was fun to play with long shutter speeds and get the full effect of the explosions.   

After the show, which seemed pretty short, we cleaned up our space and walked back to my grandma's house. I was surprised at how warm it was still. We didn't even need our sweat shirts like last year. 

Anyway, we had a fun and we were so glad the our friends and the missionaries didn't mind hanging out with us and my crazy relatives. My boys had a great time and it is always a great reminder of what a wonderful place we live in.