4th of July Fun!!!!!

Our family loves the 4th of July!! We have had several fun-filled days that have spilled over into late, late nights but wouldn't trade any of it for anything. We started celebrating on Friday morning with Troy taking all 3 kids on a hike while I got a pedicure and did some shopping! The kids had a blast (Thanks to the Monsen family for helping Troy)!! After the hike, we got ready for the Riverton Town Days Parade. I LOVE this parade and have gone since I was a little girl, so it has been fun to pass this tradition on to my family. The parade always throws a ton of candy which keeps the kids attention and we always have a good time. Troy also takes the kids to the parade in our bike trailer and they look forward to this each year. We always set out our chairs the day before and that usually works great, BUT this year when we got there, a huge family had taken over our spot and were sitting eating fried chicken and oblivious to the fact at how bugged we were. Troy luckily found us a small area that they hadn't taken over so we were still able able to enjoy ourselves (as long as I didn't focus on the chicken)....

After the parade, we went to our neighbors house and decorated the kids bikes for the big 4th of July Breakfast and Bike Parade the next morning - the kids had fun and we enjoyed some fireworks that night!! Saturday morning, we got up early and were so excited that the 4th of July was finally here! We went to our neighborhood breakfast and Grace and Carson had fun at the bike parade. Chloe was just happy to be there and smiled at anyone who would look her way. After the breakfast and parade, we went to one of our new favorite places.....it is the lake/beach/playground at Daybreak! Troy and the kids were there for about 3 hours and I brought Chloe over for about an hour. I swear this place is a little piece of heaven that is only 5 minutes from our house (Thanks Tawny for introducing us to this fun place). Carson who, cannot stand having his hands dirty, played on the beach in the sand the entire time.....he had so much fun and we can't wait to go back! After Daybreak, we headed to my mom and dad's for a fun night of bbq, slip-n-slide, homemade ice cream, BINGO and fireworks!!!! It was so fun (Thanks mom and dad for spoiling us)!!! At 9:15 p.m., we headed down to Riverton Park to lay on a big blanket and watch the fireworks that were set to music - it was a great way to wrap up the night. I am so grateful that we have our independence and for the freedom's that we have. Even though times seem tough, we have it so much better than if we lived anywhere else - we need to hold onto that thought when our outlook on life has a hard time finding that "silver lining"..... Here are some pic's from our fun weekend:

Fun at the hike

So beautiful and peaceful.....

Grace ready for the bike parade

Carson ready for the bike parade...

On your mark......get set......GO!!!

Troy and Chloe.....

Grace and Carson at the parade

Carson at the Daybreak beach

Grace playin at the lake.....

Chloe watchin the kids on the beach.....

Grace playin' on the slip-n-slide

Carson playin' on the slip-n-slide

Grace caught in the middle of a back flip!

Carson "inhaling" his homemade ice cream

Grace lovin' her cone....

Bingo fun!

More Bingo fun!!!

Cute Chloe.....

Carson and Grandpa Newbold watchin the fireworks!!!

More fireworks fun!!!