Our 4th of July Fun

Warning: Marathon picture post ahead!!

I LOVE the 4th of July. It really is one of my favorite holidays. Right up there with Christmas in fact. We pretty much have the same tradition every year,which is part of why I love it so much.

We start the day off at the parade. I always dress up the kids in patriotic clothes and it's so fun to see their excitement at the passing floats and people. Our favorite this year was the landscaping company who did a dance with their tools. It was pretty funny!! The kids always get exited to find people they know-and their cousin MaKayla is always in the Skyline Cheerleaders-so they get to see and yell at her. Here are a few pics from the parade. (And when I say a few-I mean a bunch. I take a million pics on the 4th. I'll really try to just post my favorites!!)

After the parade we meet out at my parent's house for our BBQ and games. When I say "we", it is always my family and the Petersons. Sometimes others come and join in-but the two main families are always the Landons and the Petersons. We were so happy to have Grandma and Grandpa Andrus here again this year. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. We love it. Good food, and lots of games and laughs. The kids always swim in the tiny pool and this year they did the slip-n-slide too. For some reason I didn't get many pictures during the day, but here are the few I did manage to get.

Pip, Skip and Sophie

Mom and Dad with Kirk and Nancy

Matt and TL aka Ashley

Some of the kids in my mom and dad's little trailer.

My favorite is how I found Pacie and Landon. I sent them home to rest before the fireworks because I knew they were probably tired. When I got home to check on them, this is how I found them. Just exhausted!!!

Before the fireworks, I made the kids do a little photo shoot with these wooden stars in front of the house.





Then probably my favorite part of the 4th. The FIREWORKS!!! They are always amazing and it is so fun to watch. Not only that, but it always makes me remember how thankful I am to live in America. I am so thankful for our freedom and for the privileges that I know I take for granted. It never fails that I get emotional during the fireworks-and then I laugh at myself for getting emotional-but it's just the combination of the fireworks with the music and my family all by my side...okay. I'll face it... I'm just a girl.

Landon and Presley were surprisingly a little scared by the fireworks this year. Presley cuddled up with Scott and Landon cuddled up with me. I'll take that cuddling any day. Here are my favorites from the fireworks.

Like I said, I really do love the 4th!! It always just goes by way too fast.

Happy 6th Birthday, Pacie!!

I can't believe our Pacie girl is 6 today. Pacie is one of the most tender hearted girls I know. She is very thoughtful of other's feelings and she is very motherly to other little children. She is always looking out for others to make sure they are okay. She is such a self entertainer and is quiet and a little shy. She doesn't like the spotlight-but when put in it-she shines.

Pacie is an observer, always watching others around her. Yet often she is in her own little world as well. She is very good and likes to remind me when I (or others) do things that are not necessarily the best choice.

I love watching Pacie in other environments than our home. She is very different. I think at home she lets Parker take the lead where in other situations such as school or dance or church, she will take the lead and often be even a little too bossy!

So, Pacie, Happy Birthday from your bunch. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of you over the last few months. I hope your day is so special. We will post about it all later...now let's go have some fun!! LOVE YOU!!

We are family!

I wanted to post our 4th of July pictures tonight. But frankly, I am too tired. So I will do this shorter one tonight and then do our marathon 4th in a couple of days.

The night before the 4th we were fortunate to have a family reunion with my Grandma Andrus' family. Her maiden name was Micklesen and her mother's maiden name was Willmore. It was a Willmore reunion. There were many new faces that I got to meet and a few not so new faces.

My grandma's brother is Elder Lynn Micklesen of the quorum of the 70. One of his daughers married Elder Richard G. Scott's son. It is the second time we were fortunate enough to attend the same reunion and to literally be taught at the feet of an apostle. I was so impressed with Parker. My uncle Lynn said that Elder Scott was going to speak and politely excused any children who wanted to go and play. Most of the kids gladly took off. However, little Parker decided that she wanted to stay and listen. She was so cute about being there and just listening intently. It was a wonderful night and a fun time to catch up with some of my cousins that I just don't get to see too often. Here are a few of our pics from the night. We had a wonderful time.

Here is Parker with Elder Scott. What an experience to meet an apostle!!

Me and my darling grandma. (Granny Lou)

Ashlee and Ashley. Or Pip and Schley

Two of my favorite guys. Tyler and my dad.

My mom with her aunt, Sister Jeanine Micklesen. This is a woman who has devoted most of her married years to serving with her sweet husband. She is such a fine example to me and all those around her. Two wonderful ladies who are both wonderful women to emulate.

My cute grandpa with my neice Bergin.

Danny and Rachel with Elder Scott.