Wet and Wild Weekend

This was the most fun we have had on a weekend in quite a while.  Nate has been working so hard on the basement that we haven't spent much time having fun for a while.  :)  The 4th of July is a special occasion though...so we packed it in.  The 4th in our family has always meant enjoying the Parade at the Freedom Festival in Provo.  This was a big year for Sarah since she was at the age she could actually enjoy it.  And...she enjoyed it with a little fear and trepidation.  She sat on Nate's lap a lot...and then Nate finally tricked her into sitting with the other kids.  The parade was a bit smaller this year and there was no fly over by the jets which was a really bummer. 

 The first part of the parade was nice and cool.  We had shade from a big tree...but then the sun came out and we got hot!  Rachel and I walked over to 7-11 to grab a few slurpees...by the time we got back the parade had ended.  Another bummer.   We were still glad to have slurpees though. 

 I have decided to start getting pictures of myself more often...since it looks like my family is minus a mother most of the time.  So, here we are...mom, me, and David.  Yes..I know, I look just like my mom. 

After the parade we just kicked back and bbqed at our house.  Just our little family. Uncle Ryan came by to hang out too.  The older kids, Uncle Ryan and Nate all went to a movie in the afternoon while I stayed with the babies for nap time.  The movies would have been fun...but, honestly, I had a good time at home.  Those babies slept the whole time and finished a little sewing project I had been working on.  Fireworks were the finale of our night.  "BOOM" was the word Sarah learned.  The Pleasant Grove firework show was fantastic this year. They really won us over.  We usually go there just because it's not quite as crowded...but this year was really good.

.  .  .  .  So, after all that and staying up late we went boating the next day.  It is a blessing to have amazing grandparents for my kids.  Both sets are so wonderful in every way.  Something fun we get to enjoy from my parents is their boat.  No, we never had a boat when I was growing up.  When they got rid of all their kids though..it became possible for them to do fun things like buy a boat.  So, they did and we get plenty of fun from it.  I am so glad my kids can enjoy it...since it is unlikely Nate and I will be financially free enough to buy a boat anytime soon.  HAHA.

 I wasn't sure how David would do on the boat...but he liked it.  He was entertained by the wind and water...and when he wasn't he was rocked asleep. No problem.

 Sarah also loved the boat.  She didn't brave the open water so much...but she did enjoy playing in the water at the edge of the beach. 

 We all swam in the cold water out in the middle.  Really, that was the only time I braved the water.

We had such a fun time.  The end was also an adventure.  My mom had the three oldest kids in the boat heading back to the dock to pull the boat out of the water when a huge storm hit.  They were waiting with a bunch of other boats trying to get off the lake.  With all the wind and rain it was a nerve racking experience...especially for my mom.  She was awesome and got all the kids and the boat safely on the trailer.  On facebook she wrote "Spent a great day at the lake with my sweet grandchildren. At least it was great until about 6pm then all heck broke loose on the water. I was in charge of bringing the boat in with the kids on board in a severe Thunder, Lighting, Rain, and Wind, storm. Thanks to prayers being answered we made it safely back. Thank you Heavenly Father."
She told me that she and Ben said and prayer that helped. Good job Grandma!  

So, that's the end of a great weekend.  Back to the daily grind tomorrow...ok...it's summer.  Most of our family doesn't do the daily grind.  Just poor Nathan.  I guess the rest of us will just sleep in. Hahaha.