4th of July

I LOVE the 4th! It has been my favorite holiday ever since I can remember. When I was a little girl I looked forward with great anticipation to our yearly family bashes. I have so many great memories of BBQs, swimming, fireworks, and every other great thing that comes with this holiday. As I grew older my love for this country and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy deepened making me love this day all the more. Yes, I'm one of those that always tears up during the anthem, or as the flag is being presented by those in uniform.
One thing I have to hand to Provo is the way the celebrate Independance Day. They go ALL OUT! Festivities last for over a month with different cultural celebrations, honors, tours etc. There's a 3-day festival with rides, activities, vendors and more. It's all capped off with a giant parade then at night the have a huge to-do at the football stadium, with big name performers and mega fireworks show. We have yet to go there because it's a bit pricey and we don't want to put out the expense when there are 3 little ones jeapordizing wether or not we'd actually be able to stay for it all. However, we love sitting up on our roof (the boys look forward to it all year)and watching the fireworks.
Since the 4th fell on a Sunday, the celbrations were split between Saturday and Sunday. Stadium of Fire was on Saturday, the parade was on Monday and everything else was Friday Saturday and Monday. It was kind of nice having it spread out but the kids were POOPED by the end of partying all weekend.
For those of us that are too cheap to pay to go to Stadium of Fire, our neighborhood puts on Cul-de-sac of Fire. We have a potluck dinner, a dessert competition, some activities for the kids and then everyone starts popping fireworks.
Enjoying the feast

Who couldn't love the 4th when you get a popscicle in each hand!

The start of the water balloon launch. It started out with the moms gently lobbing them a short distance for the kids to try to catch.

Then the men took over. Chairs were pulled out, people were sitting on the ground to get full leverage, and they were being launched out of the circle, kids were running in the street (the unbaricaded part) and to the houses across teh street trying to catch the suckers. I was just waiting for one of the kids to get pelted or a window to be smashed, but all escaped with no injury or damage

Tavita with his beloved fireworks. He'd sit and stare at them for days, begging me to light some. Funny thing was, once they started popping, he was walking around covering his ears, yet fully mesmorized

Julie Roper schooling the kids on appropriate firework safety. (if you're under 8 stick the sparklers, men don't blow your hands off which they about did when the busted out some cardboard boxes and black powder. It was heard for miles around)

Lei Lei may look scared to death but in reality she's very frustrated with Jandi for not letting her grab the scorching hot sparkler

Desperately trying to get 4 kids with all their sparklers lit in one picture, didn't work to well.

Kalei's new crush. Whenever she sees Jeremy she lurches at him. She's even got the flirting down, she kept grabbign his hat and putting it on her head

After partying with everyone, we headed home to the roof and watched the show

We spent Sunday talking about why we celebrate Independance Day and relaxing, trying to recover from the previous night and gearing up for the next day.
The boys also got to go for a ride on the golf cart our neighbors use to chauffer people around the parade. That was the highlight of their Sunday. We LOVE "Beebees" aka Rachel.

Monday we were up at the crack of dawn for the Balloon Festival. This is such a fun event there are tons of balloons setting up at the same time, and launch at the same time. It's so cool to watch.
Balloons filling up with air getting ready to launch. It was fun to gor right up to them blowing their torches, looking up inside the balloons etc.

Ready for take off

Kalei had the disgruntled look the entire time we were there. She couldn't figure out why we wre sitting in the middle of a field, in the cold at 6 am when she could be snuggled in her bed.

This balloon went up a little ways first so we could say the pledge. The flag got flipped around from the wind, but it worked

Here's a fraction of the balloons taking off

After the balloons launched, we continued our way to the parade. People camp out the night before to reserve their spots. They totally set up house on the side of the road and party all night long. We were fortunate enough to have an awesome neighbor who does catering for the VIPs of the parade so she gets tickets for reserved seats on some bleachers the set up.
We happily skipped by all those in sleeping bags, couches and all sorts of other things just minutes before the parade began and took our seats on the nice shaded bleachers.
Lei enjoying the show

The boys didn't care one bit about the nice seats. They wanted to sit in front on the street where the candy was being thrown, so while everyone else enjoyed the comfort we squished on the ground, in the sun, front and center!

After the parade we continued even farther down the road to the Freedom Festival. The boys LOVE all the bouncers they have set up, they also had Scales and Tails there letting the kids hold snakes and pet even bigger ones, face painting (we were to impatient to wait in line), crafts, and colonial activites (candle making, looking at muskets etc).


We wrote letters to soldiers.
Then the boys got to try their hand at sawing logs (okay they took a couple strokes then we did the rest, I think Jr and I have a future in the logging industry) then some nice men branded them.


We were to cheap to pay for rides, there was plenty of free stuff to more than occupy their time.
I'd say the kids enjoyed their weekend, what do you say?

Happy 4th of July!!!

Random Thoughts

It's been one of those months where we're just constantly on the move and as a result I forget to take my camera and when I do, I'm so busy I forget to use said camera. Oh well, there will be a few for your viewing pleasure.
Jr:
Went to Wisconsin for a week for training. Had you asked him a few days prior to his trip he would have told you Wisconsin was on the East Coast and Minneapolis was a seperate state from Minnesota though he wouldn't have been able to tell you exactly where either were. Think the trip was as benficial a geography lesson as a bussiness one.
Is now the Elders Quorum president, which in this ward is a VERY demanding calling. Sianara Daddy. Hope we see you sometimes!
After days of mumbling, grumbling, digging up lawn, and swearing under his breath (shh, don't tell the people in his elder's quorum) has finally, well almost finally he ran out of daylight, conqured the sprinklers. We had several cracked pipes and he had a heck of a time getting it all together but like anything else he takes on he succeeded as always.
Has taken on the 100day heart challenge at work: nutrionist, personal trainer, daily workouts, and healthy eating. Does pretty good, but sometimes you just gotta have a donut
Marissa:
Successfully survived a week of playing single mom while Jr was in Wisconsin. I have a new found respect for all single parent. I didn't have the bed to myself a single night he was gone. There was always anywhere from 1-3 little bodies keeping me company. Decided I did pretty good cause when Jr got home Brayden's first quesiton was, "Mom, do we still get to have fun now that Daddy's back?" Shh... don't tell about the all night parties
Has undertaken a hobby of taking the kids to the pool twice a week. They love it and I survive the 3 hours of chasing them from on pool to the next. Have developed a new talent of getting my eyes to look in two different directions trying to keep an eye on everyone.
Has undertaken another hobby of healthy cooking to assist Jr in his venture. Favorite recipe so far is fat free, whole wheat, chalk full of fruits, nuts and veggie muffins that honestly truly taste AMAZING.
Is a little frustrated that garden/flower beds aren't shaping up as well as last year, oh well. Maybe a little more TLC will make a difference. Had a GREAT crop of cherries this year
Brayden:
1st thing out of his mouth when he saw his Uncle Ryan, "Uncle, I wipe my own bum now!"
While playing Star Wars on the Wii with Jr (a game he loves, but Jr's never played). "Daddy, jump on that guy." Jr does so and dies. Brayden responded, "I told you to watch out...in my head!"
Is beyond belief excited for our campout this week but quite leary of the bears, in his nightly prayers he faithfully pleads for protection from them.
His 2nd fear of the campout is we'll return to some people having decided we don't live in our house anymore so they now live in it.
While my brother Jonathan was at court for an accidental tresspassing incident (long story but Brayden was with him when he got the ticket), "Tavita, if Uncle Jonathan doesn't come back that means they but him in prison, and he's not part of our family anymore!"
Can now write his first and last name completely on his own
Tavita:
Has discovered a love for partially ripe cherries. He, Brayden and a neighbor friend spend a good portion of the afternoon outside in a tent and returned with a once FULL strainer EMPTY. The 3 downed a good 4lbs of cherries. Needless to say I was apologizing to the kids mom for any future upset stomachs
During on of our many family wrestling matches I piled the boys on top of Jr and placed Kalei on top saying, "And a cherry on top." A very strained Tavita while trying to wriggle to freedom, "Cherries?!? I love cherries"
Has become tool OBSESSED. Always has his toolbox with him. Follows Jr everywhere helping him fix stuff.
While putting him to sleep I was singing a favorite primary song, "Love is Spoken Here." as I was singing he intterupts me and says, "Bowzer!" I thought for a minute where he got it from then laughed and said no, "as she BOWS HER head". Fit of laughter, "Bowzerhead" hahahah
As we pulled up after picking Ryan up from the airport Brayden pointed Jon's truck out to him. Tavita,very possesively, "Yeah that's MY UNCLE." Ryan, "Did you know I'm your uncle to?" T: "NO!" in the end he was affectionately called, "Unkie Ryan"
WILL NOT stay dressed. He cruises the neighborhood in his underwear. I dress him and turn around he's naked. Repeat and repeat.
Was very excited for waffles yesterday (pancakes in his book). I told him to let me finish what I was doing and I'd be in to start them. He runs into the kitchen singing "Let's make some waffles, who, ho,ho,ho" (to the tune of "Who let the dogs out"
Kalei:
Has taken a bit more to walking
Finally fulfilling her days of longingly watching her brothers and joins in the wrestling matches. The girl can barely walk but if you say "Bodyslam" she raises her hands abover her head, bounces a bit, and throws herself onto whoever is closest by
Favorite toy is The Hulk
Is always roaring and growling at people
Tends to start fights with her brothers. Luckily Brayden shrugs it off but has lead to some scuffles between her and Tavita.
Has me thinking we need another girl to girly her up a bit
Loves joining in conversation and laughs on cue.
Has now eaten with Bowzer from his dish, got on all fours and drank like Bowzer the same time Bowzer was drinking, and eaten a piece of his poop. They are officialy bonded and I have some great blackmail stories for when she starts dating.
When Jr leaves for work and gives me a kiss, she instantly starts smacking her lips demanding one two. Yet another way she gets him wrapped tighter around her finger.
Now for a visual idea of what we've been up to:
Jr finished putting up our fence and did an incredible job! He gives credit to his two helpers.

He did it all by hand with nothing but a pickaxe, shovel, and hammer even though he ran into obstacles like this to dig out. I couldn't even lift the thing let alone dig through hard rocky ground to get it out

As said before our little princess LOVES the hulk so Jr thought he'd be funny and give Kalei hulk muscles

The boys of course couldn't be left out of the fun


Even though Jr and I aren't very big people a king-sized bed is a MUST for us, for this very reason. I think it all stemmed from when we were first married and our bedroom doubled as our living room but it's a favorite gathering spot for our family. Movie nights, wrestling matches, story time, my favorite, family nap time!

Pick our bounty from the cherry tree

We took a night to go to our favorite park, fondly called the "Duck Park"
We ate some pizza

Swam in the fountain

Got in some wiggle-riding action

Tormented the ducks

The boys took a walk around the pond

While Leilei and I lazily gazed upon them

The other day I was working in the garage and Tavita came and grabbed the drywall trowel of the shelf. I didn't think much of it til I walked in and saw this scene. Microwave open, drawer open, marshmallows, peanut butter, pepper and matches (I swear they were up high) were strewn about.

Lei loves taking a bath in the sink. The other day I turned around to find her in the other side and two suckers in her mouth. Man she's fast!

It's a good thing we have such a big strong daddy!

Some year I'll post about our 4th of July weekend!

Memorial Day

Aha! We have three more post for you to enjoy!

We had an exciting and eventful Memorial Day. As I've said before we're trying to get out and discover more of Utah. On Monday we decided to officially initiate ourselves into Utah Valley and "hike the Y". I don't think you can say you live here and not have hiked it. We went with our good friends/neighbors the Short's and were intrigued to see what it was going to be like hiking with 5 kids up the side of a mountain. Their kids were champs and only grumbled here and their. Our normally hike-loving kids on the other hands were MISERABLE.
A big part of the problem is they weren't well rested and really should have been sleeping rather then hiking. After about 3 minutes of hiking Tavita started saying he was tired and needed to be carried. Finally about half way up I loaded Kalei onto the front carrier and Tavita hitched a ride on Juniors back. Brayden was great on the way up and he and Carson led the way the majority of the time.
On the way down they both started out strong which was great because Kalei zonked out in the backpack so they had no way of getting a ride. After about a 1/4 of the way down Tavita started saying he was tired and Brayden was complaining that his knees hurt (I'm really starting to wonder if he has knee problems, it's on my list of things to ask the doc at his next well check)
Long story short after a lot of tears and prodding along, Junior wound up with Kalei on his back and Tavita in his arms and I piggy backed Brayden (Though he insisted I set him don the last 50 yards so he could say he walked out). It had potential to be a lot of fun and I think we'll do it again when our kids aren't so tired. The next hike on our list is Timpanogas Caves which is longer and steeper and we've already informed the kids that's going to have to be postponed a few years until their a little stronger hikers. We're keeping our eyes out for more simple hikes.
As for me, I felt life coming full circle as I had a "I'm turning into my mom" moment. I remember growing up thinking my mom was such a killjoy for always telling us not to go so close to the edge. We'd be standing there enjoying ourselves only to have our mom steer us away. I've jumped from planes, cliffs of all heights, buildings etc, but my heart would not stop pounding watching our kids meander as they walked along the switchbacks. They'd be running around having fun and my heart would bottom out as I yelled, "Get away from the edge NOW." and as they were having fun racing down the mountain I was yelling "When you run downhill, you don't stop, NO RUNNING." I kept laughing at myself in disbelief because I truly sounded JUST like my mom. Amazing how much more understanding and appreciative we become of our moms as we go through the same things they did.
The kids rearing to go (Brayden, Carson, Emma, Tavita)

Best Buds helping each other along

Daddy and LeiLei trucking along

Jandy bringing up the two little ones (The advantages of being the photographer...note I had NO kids)

The whole crew with the "Y" in the background

Tavita once again used Daddy as a salt lick!

The moms and the kiddos relishing in the fact that we MADE IT!!!

Carson has developed a fetish with "bunny ears" and Brayden is becoming an eager student.

LOVED the view, gave me a whole new perspective of Provo. I have to admit, it is kind of pretty! Plus, look how high we hiked, no wonder the kids were whining

Oh the trouble these 4 rascals have conglomerated on!

We are now 3/3 in having this exact pic. That pack must be comfy because they all fall asleep in it.


After the hike the boys came home and napped (both were asleep within 5 minutes of being home) while Junior did some yard work and I did some cooking for our cul-de-sac BBQ. It was a lot of fun. We blocked the circle of, pulled out a couple grills, everyone grilled their own meat and brought sides to share. We sat out, let the kids run wild while we gabbed until it got dark. After living in a cul-de-sac I can't imagine living anywhere else (if nothing for our kids safety, they know NOTHING of street caution). I think it's going to have to be a requirement for all future houses!

Sidenote, FINALLY was warm enough(a whole 70 degrees) to bust out the summer stuff. The boys were so excited they instantly jumped into their suits, sprayed on the sunscreen and begged to fill the pool.

I had to boil a few HUGE pots of water to mix in so it took the edge of the iciness but they had fun none the less.

Day Out With Thomas

There's a cool little railroad station in a little town about 40 min from here. Every year on Memorial Day weekend they have "Day Out With Thomas". Thomas comes and gives the kids a 25 min train ride and there are all sorts of activities for the kids to do. Other than last year (Kalei was only a few days old) we've gone every year we've been here and the boys LOVED it. Last time the weather was HORRIBLE and we barely lasted an hour, long enough to get in the train ride and attempt a few other activites before we were frozen and gave up. This year the weather was GORGEOUS and the boys had a blast! The took a train ride, met Sir Topham Hatt, watched a magician, miniature golf, listened to stories, played with train table galores and more!
Anxious to board. The boys were giddy with excitment!

All Aboard!!!

Pulling out

Brothers to the end!

Lei wasn't sure what was going on, but she knew it was exciting!

We ususally don't buy food when we're at events/amusment parks but one thing we always spring for is cotton candy. The boys LOVE it!

Kalei's first time trying cotton candy, she may not join the fan club.

Getting Thomas Tattoos, 1 week later and they're STILL there!

The revered pleasure of meeting Sir Topham Hatt

With the beloved Thomas

It was a great day and the boys are already talking about next year. I was just grateful for nice weather because 3 days before it looked like this:

This was only the beginning, not long after this pic you could no longer see the sidewalks/streets. It was a TON of snow and just days before June. Don't know that I'll ever get used to living in Utah. We lost some HUGE branches (which means our well shaded back yard now has a lot of gaps) our melon plants (just grateful the rest of the garden survived) and it still a ???? as to whether we'll get any plumbs or cherries/