{independence day}

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday! I love the parades, bbq's, family get togethers, fireworks, etc. This year we celebrated with some of Jared's family, Lexi and Alma and the Smith's. We started out with breakfast at Kneader's (the make the best french toast) and then headed to the parade. Lexi and Alma got up bright and early to stake out a parade spot for us and fight off all the other intense parade goers. Thanks guys! I was confused on the parade time so we missed the first couple of fire engines. While we are walking the 10 blocks from our car to the parade we can hear the sirens and this is the conversation that Jace and I had:

Jace: "I hear it, mom. I hear it!"
Me: "I hear it too, Jace."
Jace: "I love it!"

We had a great time watching the parade in Provo (the best in Utah). After, we headed back to the house for a bbq and swimming. Jace tried floaties for the first time and did great. He can swim around the pool without help when he has his floaties on. He was pretty tired though and decided to take a nap while floating in the tube. After lots of swimming we all went inside for naps and then headed to Thanksgiving Point to play games and watch the fireworks. We had a great time but were all worn out by the end of the day.

A patriotic dish for the bbqThanks for fighting off the angry mobs
Watching the paradeOur favorite floatOur least favorite float

Jace and Carter with their monkey backpacks

Swimming with floaties (or "muscles")

Taking a nap

A grueling game of Wizard (which I won!)Jace playing his own card game