Our 4th of July

Our Fourth of July was a success! We started out the day with the Centerville Parade

Despite the fact that every bone in my over-anxious planner body wanted to approach the Centerville Parade differently, I let my laid back take-it-as-it-comes under-anxious husband take the lead. One thing you need to know about Matt is that he can be so laid back because somehow things usually pan out for him. Which is what happened yesterday. We walked up the street about 5 minutes before the start of the parade and got to the intersection where the parade started just as the trumpets of the Davis High Marching Band began to blow. We just happened to find the perfect little spot, watched and enjoyed the parade, and walked home - no saving a spot the night before, no going up to the parade hours early....just walk up, watch, and walk home. It was great. Sometimes it pays off to just RELAX!

After we walked home, we loaded straight into the car to head to the Kaysville Parade. For me, the Fourth of July wouldn't be the Fourth of the July without attending this parade. It is a crazy experience. My family is pretty competitive - we like to get the best stuff. And my brother, Ben, is literally louder than any of the sirens and instruments that crash around us. Emma would have enjoyed it more without all the noise and Lucy slept through most of it after wearing herself out dancing to the marching band. But I loved every minute of it!

After the parade we began the Barbeque circuit. My family's house was stop 1 - where I ate WAY too much food. Matt and I also tried something new: Red White and Blue homemade ice cream. We were trying to be festive, but it wasn't our best ice cream effort, so it probably won't happen again. See below: The finished product

And Adam being a food model:

After dragging my overstuffed butt out the door, we then headed to stop #2 - the neighborhood Barbeque. It was a nice, laid back event and allowed us to put the girls to bed somewhat early (for the 4th) and still enjoy a nice little evening watching the neighborhood kids light their street fireworks. It made us reminisce about our engagement anniversary, 6 years ago last night. That night turned the 4th of July into one of my favorite holidays! And this year was a great tribute to that day - Happy Independence Day!!

Mange

My one useful talent was developed during the summer I spent working at Lagoon. I worked the same game almost every time - it was a skill game called "Wacky Wire." It is one of the few games where, if you develop the skill, you can win it over and over again - like riding a bike. So, I win it every year and we are beginning to have quite the collection of oversized stuffed animals. This was my conquest from Friday - a large, albino, silver back gorilla. Emma named him Mange and he became her buddy for the rest of the afternoon. The funny thing about Emma and these oversized animals is that she treats them like they are alive - she strikes up conversations with them, looks them right in the eye when she asks for a hug from them, and she hangs out with them (as pictured above). I am glad I can provide so many friends for my child.

Lucy and Emma

I have been thinking how I should post about all the fun things that have been going on with my girls lately. And now that I actually have a minute to post - I can't remember what it was that they did to spur the thought. I mean, don't get me wrong, they are cute all the time! I just had specifics - you know?! Let's see what I can remember:

Lucy

Despite my yearnings for a crawling kid, Lucy has yet to embark on exploring the world on her hands and knees. Instead, she chooses to roll wherever she can. She rolls everywhere. Emma was pretty content to sit in one place until she could walk - so to have a mobile child - in whatever weird way - has been fun for me! But, we are still hoping for a crawler. Lucy has also learned how to yell! She only cries when she is really upset (like when you wipe her nose) but she yells all the time. She has the cutest little face though, so even though it can be grating after awhile, you just look at her and its okay. My brother did say that she looks like Susan Boyle. At first I was offended, but now I can't deny the fact that when she sucks her little bottom lip in with an open mouth - she kind of does look like a bald Susan Boyle. Sorry kid. Let's just hope the voice is included! With the way she loves music, there is hope. Any time a little diddy comes on the TV, Lucy listens intently until the moment the music stops and then she moves on. I think it is so cute! She will be nine months on Sunday, sheesh! Time Flies!

Emma

Emma has loved the last month. Her new favorite place is Park City since we went there twice in June. She has been slowly finding her love for swimming again, but she is a little trepidatious. She insists on wearing both arm floaties and a blow-up ring if she is anywhere near a body of water. We went to the lake to jet-ski last week and the water was freezing, but she still went willingly in as long as she had her safety vices. Her new favorite show is called Special Agent Oso about a bear who helps kids do daily activities. Special Agent Oso has effectively taught Emma how to brush her teeth. She asks daily to do so and hopefully will have healthy oral hygiene for the rest of her life because of the "unique stuffed bear." We nearly had to take her out of gymnastics, which she has been in for the last year, because at her "show" she had a literal meltdown and we wondered if it was worth the money, but she has slowly been improving with some encouragement and is starting to be very brave - but she is VERY afraid of heights, so we are still very weak on the balance beam. She talks all the time and she has to have a response to everything she says. It is exhausting. Her two favorite words are "actually" and "because." She has gotten really deep into the "make-believe" scenarios. Her favorite lately has been to pretend that there are dragons chasing her and she has to make them disappear by having them eat "magic beans." Despite the fact that I get worn out pretty quickly just trying to keep up with the talking and the imagination, she makes my days exciting and is a fun little friend to spend time with!

My Summer Shames

I have been a neglectful blogger lately - mostly because I lost my camera - but also because I feel like I have been really busy....especially since Festival Days is next week. Despite claims at being forever busy, I somehow always find time to watch my favorite summer reality shows. Like, The Bachelorette - which I have to say has been super entertaining this season. They have literally had every crazy thing that could happen - happen. And, though I am well aware that it is highly likely that their claims at "reality" are more than likely incidents that are "producer influenced" - I still get a kick out of it. I wonder at the "characters" that allow themselves to be "motivated" by the powers of reality TV - like last Monday Bachelor Jake (who didn't get a rose the previous week and who "just happens" to be pilot) conveniently flew in to warn the Bachelorette that country singer Bachelor Wes was not only just on the show for his career, but also had a girlfriend back home. Did Jake REALLY decide to come back all on his own? I just can't picture that he would willingly walk into a character questioning situation like that, particularly after having just been rejected on national tv. I mean, reality TV entertainment at its best, but do they really expect me to believe that it wasn't, at the very least, encouraged by some exec? I know all of this and I still, not only watch, but wait for each new episode with excited anticipation. Say what you will about what this says about me.

My other summer reality TV addiction: So You Think You Can Dance. I am moved by dance. If only I had done the work to be able to DO it instead of WATCH it. Nevertheless, it has been an exciting season so far with the talent being so closely competitive that it is hard for me to pick a favorite. Right now I would say Randi and Evan. Whose yours?

With the summer being as wet as it has been this year, there has obviously been more time spent inside than out, it would seem - but I really don't watch as much TV as you might think - just to clear my name - and I have been REALLY busy with Festival Days. But, as it is all coming together, I am REALLY excited about it. Even if there are a few things that don't quite go as planned, it is going to be SO fun. So, read my earlier post and come to what you can. I'll be looking for you there!

Here's to You Honey!

Why I am honoring my husband on this Father's Day:

Matt is a caring and compassionate man. I have always admired his ability to see others needs and fill them without ever being asked. He actively seeks out ways to serve. He always wants to meet the new neighbors (even though I often shy away). He is always anxiously engaged in his church callings. He follows the golden rule and always gives people the benefit of the doubt.

Matt is an amazing father. He loves his girls. He makes opportunities to play with them. He teaches them. He knows them well and even designs our Family Home Evening lessons to cater to their needs or troubles.

Matt is extremely talented. He doesn't just play the piano like a pro, but he also sings and will act when forced (only because it has been beneficial to him in the past...wink! wink!). He can build anything - just show him a picture.

Matt is a loving and selfless husband. He has always shown me the upmost respect and concern. He tells me I am beautiful. He carries me to bed. He doesn't make fun of me when I fall asleep in movies at other people's houses. He is patient with me when I do ditzy or klutzy things.

I feel very blessed to be married to him. Happy Father's Day G.L.!

Festival Days Mania

Not sure if you know, but last year I was asked to Chair Farmington City's annual fair/festival called "Festival Days!" It has been quite an adventure, and I have to say a TON of fun! My amazing graphic designer of a brother came up with our logo and theme pictured above. Doesn't it ROCK!

It is a week-long event that begins July 6th and has something for everyone! Monday night is our Movie Night in the Park. We will be showing "Kung-Fu Panda" at Main Park in Farmington. The show starts at dusk. It is free admission, but be sure to come early for a good spot and to bring blankets and lawn chairs!

Tuesday and Thursday we have a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. We need teams to sign-up. The winners get some VERY nice basketball shorts and bragging rights!

Thursday July 9th we have added a Rock Band Tournament. The video game type. It is new this year and so far, it has been slow to gain interest, but here is the great thing about it. It is not just about getting a good score on the game - it's also about showmanship. We are hoping to get some great "bands" with some great performance skills! Anyway, it will start at 6:00pm at the Community Arts Center in Farmington. Let me know if you want to compete!

Friday is a Kid's Bike Parade - so fun for the little kids. Bring them with their bikes, trikes, skateboards, fun wheels, whatever - decorated and let them ride the parade route to cheers from family and friends! At the end we serve delicious popsicles. Kids love it. It starts at 6:00pm at the Bus Park on Glover's Lane in Farmington.

Saturday, July 11th is the BIG DAY! It all kicks off with our foot races. There is a 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon and they are all run very well. The registration includes a t-shirt and a totally legit Breakfast of French Toast, Sausage, Fruit, the works. It is soooo good. Anyone who wants to come to breakfast is welcome. It's $4.00 for an individual or $20.00 for a family of 5.

There is also a Bike Race. Kid's love this as well. Finisher medals and a t-shirt for anyone who rides. After which is our PARADE! Everyone loves a good parade. It runs down Main Street, onto State and then ends at Farmington Junior High. There is lots of candy to be had! When the parade ends there is a LOT going on at our Main Park including Helicopter Rides, Craft and Food Booths and Entertainment - all running from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. I have looked through our applications for our booths and there is going to be an extensive collection of crafts, food, jewelry - you name it. Come! You are sure to find something you'll love!

Our evening ends with a bang! We will have a free concert in Main Park featuring local artist Kat Tingey and the well-known and well-loved Beatles cover band "IMAGINE." We will also be serving free ice cream starting at 6:00pm. Then capping off our performances with an amazing fireworks show choreographed to some rockin' tunes from the car-hop days! You will be blown away!

The best part of this (extensive) blog post - is that I need some help! I need a few fun and lovely and charming people to help in our information/t-shirt booth in the park from 12:00pm - 4:00pm. You don't have to commit to all 4 hours, but if you are interested in helping you will be compensated with one of our awesome and in-demand t-shirts that feature the above ROCKIN' logo. Let me know!

If you can't help - come for sure. It is sure to be the biggest party I will ever throw (wink, wink!).

The Girls

I just love these pictures of the girls. It was a lazy morning and the girls were hanging out on the bed in their matching purple shirts. Emma was being so kind to share her "video" (that is what she calls her portable DVD player) with Lucy and she was really concerned that Lucy be able to see. Emma is really compassionate and caring with her sister. She loves to get her toys and find her things to play with. They love to make each other laugh. I am so glad they like each other so much!

And just a cute one of Lucy:

I think that's it with the random catch up pics. Hope it was fun for a bit!