It's taken us a week to recover from the 4th of July weekend! The Clark's (hundreds of them, most live in Utah Valley) take this holiday very seriously...bigger than Christmas.
Saturday we spent the morning at the Huntsville parade and playing at their awesome park. Heidi and I were doing Hotch Potch at a booth there. Luckily it was perfect weather and temperature so the kids could hang out on the playground. Spent the rest of the day catching up at the house, then it was off for more fun.
That evening we headed to Grandpa Judy's in Provo for the annual watching of the "Stadium of Fire" fireworks. They live really close to the stadium so we get to watch for free. We play outside with cousins, eat homemade ice cream, do our own fireworks/sparklers, and wait with anticipation for the super loud jets to fly above us. That means that the show is ready to begin. Soon, it's dark and we lay on blankets to watch the awesome fireworks. This year, we even heard glimpses of Carrie Underwood singing.
The kids had fun helping with our firework show, and then they started jumping over some of the little ones. I wonder who gave them that idea? Sometimes I have 5 kids, not 4. BS can be the biggest kid around!
Sunday we slept in until 10:00! After a patriotic breakfast, we dressed-up patriotic, then headed to church. We went straight from church back down to Grandma's again. It was great to have dinner and hang out again with all of the family. We stayed overnight because the parade would be starting so early the next morning. Sunday night BS and Uncle Sean went to save everyone a spot for the parade for a few hours. Then at 10:00 Millie and Sambo were lucky enough to go help save our spot. Uncle Doug and Candice took them to University Avenue where they camped-out. I told you this was serious business. It is amazing how many people are willing to stay all night on the side of a street just to save spots for a parade.
Monday morning BS went for an early bike ride, while some of us ran the annual 10K. But not me. Then it was off to the parade. I had to take clothes to Mills and Sambo. They were wiped out from only a few hours of sleep but they had an awesome time. The parade did not disappoint. The kids love throwing poppers, watching and waving, eating popcicles and candy, and playing with cousins.
Millie and Sambo had fun but were a little grumpy. As they grow older, the little things that use to get them so excited (like fire engine honking, princess waving, police motorcycle formations, and hot air balloons) become a tiny bit less exciting. Will was just happy to be wearing a "Jaws" shirt. He loves creepy things. But Quincy was especially fun to watch this year because she is so little and it is all still new to her. I couldn't stop taking pictures of her! Lately she is a bit obsessed with having her nails painted. She always fights getting in the tub because she worries it will wash her polish off. Sometimes I can't keep up with every little chip of polish that comes off (and it does SO easily), so even BS has the pleasure of painting her nails sometimes! Anyway, she made sure that she had freshly painted RED fingernails for the parade. I love how she is such a tomboy in so many ways, but still has a little bit of girlie girl in her.
The many faces of Quincess at the parade:
After the parade, we enjoyed Kneaders turkey sandwiches at Grandmas. Then the boys and girls (the girls without kids) were off to golf at Hobble Creek course. The rest of us hung-out, got in the hot tub, and took a nice nap.
That evening we went to yet another 4th tradition: the family BBQ at Aunt Cindy and Norm's. You have never seen so many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, grandkids, & great-grandkids! Ever. It's fun to see everyone's kids and guess who belongs to who and who is pregnant and so on. Forget knowing everyone's names! A favorite is watching all the kids hit the pinata and fight for candy :)
Then we went to Granpa's office for some minor surgeries. Millie had a small cyst on the side of her face that she got removed. She was so scared of getting a shot (the numbing shot) but she was brave and toughed it out. She had lots of moral support...Uncle Jake, Aunt Candice, Aunt Jenny, Grandpa Judy and Aunt Liz also went and had moles and warts removed. It was a family removal fest!
We got home that night at midnight. Fun times. Whew!
1 comment:
Looks like fun. We were at the parade also. It would have been fun to see you. I laughed at the removal part. I am thinking I need to become a dermatologist just to save myself the money. (Not entirely joking...okay maybe just a nurse) Between my kids and myself, I seriously make my derms house payment. I am sure of it. We seriously need to get together. I want to go biking with you guys so you can give me some pointers.
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