Our 24th of July

What says pioneer day more than Pioneer Barbie and Ken?

I decided this year that if I were able to do it again, I would be born in July. As much as I am smitten by the Fall, does it really get any better than warm Summery play and fireworks? So magical and fun! Today I told James that I was sad to see this month go and he asked what I would have done differently. I honestly couldn't think of a single thing. I just wanted more of it!!! I especially love July in Utah because here we get to have two July holidays to enjoy. On the 24th of July we get to remember the pioneers coming to Utah and what better way to do that than with a parade and more fireworks?!!!! Hot dog! This year James's family was in town and so we got to celebrate with them with our North Logan City parade, fireworks, and and free carnival. It was a load of fun!

All day long I kept thinking about how on that same very day just eight years earlier, I was released from serving as a full-time missionary in West Virginia. That day was bittersweet because even though my mom came and picked me up from my Mission President's house, I still had to say good-bye to such a wonderful experience. At the time I remember wondering if life could ever get any better. This 24th was a happy reminder every phase of life is wonderful. Life just keeps getting better.

 Our adorable niece, Scarlett. She took to the candy collecting remarkably well and even had the guts to run out into the middle of the parade from time to time to grab her loot.

Baby Cabe with Uncle Bryce

 What beauty queen doesn't want to be grouped with cows? If that doesn't make you feel pretty, I don't know what does!

 Mason and Sophie dashing out for loot. The parade was small, but the amount of candy was out of this world! We got a lot, but while we headed home, we spotted kids with pillowcases full! Yikes!

 Sophie and Char grabbing their goods.

 Char, riding in style with his grandma

 Mason and Char climbing up the big blow-up slide

As you can see, the slide was a big hit with the kids. Actually, as scared as they look, it really was. Unfortunately, the line was a mile along after they went and so we nixed them going again.

 Competing in the turtle race.

The fire department is right behind the church-owned park that the festivities were held at and they surprised us with a fun and refreshing cool down.

 James and the kids on their way back from their first splash. James's sister is the cute pregnant girl. She is scheduled to have her little baby boy on my birthday! Hot dog!

L: James with Char and Scarlett. They weren't too impressed. R: Sophie all wet

 On our stroll home, we found this fancy float parked just two houses down from our house. Of course we had to take pictures with it.

If McCabe looks forlorn in this photo, it is only because he couldn't stop thinking about what would have been if we had entered him into the cutest baby competition. Maybe he would have been sitting on the float in the parade. Poor boy.