Independence Day 2011

We usually go up to Heber for the 4th of July weekend for the parade and the never disappointing fireworks show. This year, due to rain, the fireworks show didn't happen and we were totally bummed. 

At the last minute, we decided we needed to do something for the weekend because it is Chase's all time favorite holiday and that Saturday was supposed to be 117. Not my favorite. 

Long story short, we did a little research and decided Payson would be the perfect place because it's not far and not hot. 

We called up some of our favorite people, left early in the morning on the 4th, got there an hour and a half later and went to check out the park where the show was to be. To our surprise, people were already waiting there with their tents, 8 hours before the show! 

We made some friends with some people and they graciously agreed to watch our blankets and chairs so we didn't have to wait 8 hours in the sun. 

In the mean time, we went exploring. 

It wasn't really exploring for me, since where we went,I have been a million times before growing up. 

We drove up to Whispering Pines and played in the creek behind the cabin.

Tracy and Randy

I think Chase is testing my limits in this picture. I nearly had a heart attack when he started swinging Oakley over the water!

I was about to cry. Oakley was laughing.

After a few hours we decided it was time to go back to the park and reserve our own place before too many people came up and squished us out. 

The park was amazing. There was a huge lake and everyone gathered around it. We got the inside word where the fireworks were to be lit and we were in the most ideal spot. 

We brought some things to occupy our time like cards and bubbles. 

The bubbles were especially a hit. Tracy started blowing some for Oakley and the other children flocked to her.

I don't know who had more fun with the bubbles; Tracy or the kids. 

And then the show began.

 I wasn't sure what to expect with Oakley because they are so loud. But, he loved them! He couldn't take his eyes off of the sky. Most of the time I held my hands on his head covering his ears, and he was a trooper and just let me.

This picture doesn't do it justice, but the lights were amazing over the lake. It was like double the explosion. 

I don't know if it was just because i wasn't expecting anything nearly as awesome as the Heber Fireworks, but they did not disappoint.

Next year, it is going to be tough to decide where to go! 

the only place to be when it's summer in the valley, is anywhere but the valley.

we are so lucky to have friends. we are also so lucky to have friends who invite us up north. we went up to northern az a few times this summer and it is so nice to just sit around, eat, play games, spend time with awesome people and not sweat through every layer of clothing. 

and fyi...i don't think anyone beat me at 'ticket to ride' the entire time. 

i freaking love these pictures even though they 

aren't taken very well. 

cecily's face is priceless.and then on the last one, jocelyn cracks me up with that big nonchalant grin she is wearing. 

i love these girls. 

oakley loved the quads too. just not as fast. 

see that dirt bike back there? chase taught me how to ride it. 

i'm pretty sure he even took a movie of my first attempt.

but, seeing as i am not a huge fan of public humiliation, i decided not to put it up.

 hadley and oakley are best friends.

or at least they will be, after we train them to be best friends.

training in progress

parks can be fun when it's not a bajillion degrees outside. 

who knew?!

more quads. as usual.

 a lot of dirt + 4 hours of running the hose = mud

mud = happy boys. 

lindsay and i took a million pictures of our adorable babies. 

because, seriously, who wouldn't want to take a million pictures of our adorable babies???

...and the boys talked about... phone stuff.

i always realize after looking through all my pictures that i didn't get any of myself or anyone other than oakley and whoever happens to be holding oakley. i guess i need to stop being so obsessed with the little goob and take some more pictures. i'll try harder next time, 

Summer Time and New Tricks

hello. it's been awhile. oakley is like seven times the size as he was when i last posted.

i have lived in the east valley my entire life. but, every summer is like my first. for some reason, i always forget how freaking hot it is. 118 degrees is not my friend.
but we make the most of it. 

summer gardens

bike rides

bathtime

naptime

oakley+george=bff

 swimtime

 andrew's mission call opening

tallahassee florida, spanish speaking!!!

 molly's surprise birthday dinner

 fishing

(way too early on a saturday morning)

porter was the only one who caught anything!

daisy giving the fish some lovin'.

oakley has become very opinionated on what he wears. he especially dislikes overalls. every time i put on a cute pair he does this...

i am such a mean mom.

but it was so funny.

oakley also learned a bajillion new tricks this summer and has become extremely too helpful.

Here are just a few;

crawl fast

open cupboards and drawers

take his diaper off

open the dryer

and take all the clothes out

pull the lever on the water cooler

  

stand up on his own

walk!