4th of July

We spent our weekend AT HOME relaxing and getting things done around the house. It was NICE! AND! IT RAINED almost every day. We LOVED it! (as did our yard and garden!)

We went to church on the 4th and we were bummed because we got their after the opening song and we missed being able to sing the Star Spangled Banner. Brandon and I both love the Sundays with patriotic songs. We got asked to sub for Brody's primary class while his teachers (a husband and wife) have a new baby. It was fun to see Brody in his primary element. He is a good singer and he is quite talkative in class (not a big surprise). He knew quite a few of the answers which made us feel good....the mostly irreverent scripture study isn't all for naught.

We came home and had a roast dinner and waited as long as we could before going on the driveway to do a few fireworks. After last weekends show, we decided we'd just use the leftover fireworks from last year instead of getting a bunch more. It was great. We did enough (just before dark) to make it memorable for the kids. After we got them tucked in we were able to watch our whole neighborhood as it was lit up with fireworks. The whole skyline was exploding with colors. I love the national pride that comes with Independence Day. Seeing all the fireworks and knowing what it all represents makes me very grateful for the country we have.

Ella - wearing her princess nightgown (we did as much as we could before doing fireworks but still getting them in bed!)

Brody's all american pj's

Daddy's helpers. The wind wasn't cooperating and lighting them wasn't an easy task

SPARKLERS! Brody liked them, Ella needed help with hers so their aren't any pics of her holding them, but she liked them ok.

The kids reactions to these "electric bomb" fireworks. They aren't my favorite either. It is a crazy strobe light that changes colors and then sounds like a gun went off. Not so fun.

Ella really didn't like them

Because it was too cute not to film...