Happy Fourth of July

I think the kids did a great job decorating their cake. Collin took it very seriously.


She wanted nothing to do with this head band, so I had to be quick. We watched the fireworks from our driveway. We were so tired that we were happy to not be stuck in traffic, until the next morning when the kids wanted to know when we would be going to the River to watch the fireworks. Umm, maybe next year?

Independence Day

When I got up Saturday morning, I thought we were going to the parade. At the last minute we decided to ride the Alpine slide in Jackson. Good thing, because from what I have heard, the parade was cold enough to require hot chocolate and a winter coat. Torrey took the long way, and by long - I mean a dirt road through Wolverine Canyon. It was beautiful. But the one time we ventured out of the car we paid dearly with mosquito bites. We stopped in Alpine for a picnic. That is where these photos were taken. Please disregard the Oreo cookie smiles. We didn't buy a single firework. Can you believe it?


It's unfortunate that this picture isn't a video. It didn't end well. Hana twisted sideways. Instead of landing on her feet, she landed on her hip and arm. Yikes! She recovered quickly enough to try it again.

I love how they are clinging to one another as if they were headed for a waterfall.

Pine Basin

The place hasn't changed a bit. Well, except for the Ga Ga pit. Did you know I worked there one summer as the cook? My husband didn't, but he just must not have been listening. Collin has been so excited to spend the week there. He hopes it will be the first of many summers to come. I wasn't prepared for how choked up I felt when it was time to say good bye. It was Kindergarten all over again. Except he was so excited. I should have brought the camera to capture his giant grin. I only had one day to fit in an entire week of mothering, but he didn't let me bother him one bit. I was also worried about how his sisters would do with out the ring leader. He chooses the entertainment, but they were just fine without their tour guide. In fact, McKell was being really bossy. When I scolded her she told me that she was taking over the part as oldest child.
Don't tell him that I said so, but three was so much easier than four, even when the fourth is nine years old. We made our plans with outings to the park and I didn't have to worry about whether or not what we were doing was what he wanted to do. We still didn't get everything done that we had planned to do, but there is more summer left.

We were excited to go to camp on Thursday and see him. He said he had forgotten what we look like. I was shocked to see him walking barefoot in the forest. His shoes got wet chasing snakes. I made him wear his water socks. This is the shelter he and the boys built.



I love the look on Emma's face. Boy does she want those flowers Hana is holding.
This is my flower picker.