The 5th of July Part 2: The Bar J

My Dad LOVES the Bar J. (http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/) It may be one of his most favorite places on earth. It is a chuckwagon dinner and performance. The food is awesome and the entertainment is even better. Saturday night my Mom (bless her heart) kept all 5 kids and the rest of us went to the Bar J. I love going there with my Dad. It is hilarious, like pee your pants funny, and even more so listening to his infectious laugh. We had so much fun, good food, good music and great company!

Date night at the Bar J. Dad and Bailey
Jeff and I
Jason and Courtney
Ben and Holli
And Grandma even survived her night with all the kiddos. In fact, the next day when I was asking Mylie to tell me about her favorite parts of the trip, she said the Grandma party. Cute.

We had such a fun weekend! Sunday was a leisurely morning in Jackson, lunch and then headed back to Idaho Falls. I can't even express how much fun I had and how much I appreciate my parents putting it all together. There is nothing in the world like family!

The 5th of July Part 1: String Lake

The next morning we were off to the mountains. OK, technically I guess we were already in the mountains. But we headed to String Lake for a picnic and fun. How beautiful is the scenery?
Here is Dad in the canoe. Jeff decided that he and Mylie and I ought to go on a canoe ride. But there are some canoe stories. Forever ago, when Courtney graduated from High School (2001) our family went on a cruise. Ben, Courtney, Bailey and I decided to go sea kayaking as one of our excursions. Bailey and I were in the kayak together. Not sure I can paint an accurate picture of this,but just imagine the boat going in a lot of circles and a lot of yelling. I just thought Bailey was crappy at it. Fast forward to a few years later. Jeff and I are at the cabin with my parents and we decided to float the river ... my parents in one canoe and Jeff and I in the other. This was the first time I'd gone on the canoe with Jeff and I wanted to show him what an outdoorsy type woman that I was. Picture the canoe crashing (at full canoe speed) into the bank of the river and Jeff flying out of the canoe. Apparently it wasn't Bailey who was the one who sucks at canoeing. And now, he wants me to go in the canoe with him and take our baby? My Dad is shaking his head, he can see the writing on the wall. But alas, we made it, Mylie thought it was super cool, I sat like a frozen statue, only paddling when Jeff told me to. It is kind of funny now that I think about it.
Mylie also went on a canoe ride with Papa and Aunt Courtney.
Blake slept through all the fun. Notice his cheek ... Eliza loves him and just couldn't keep her sandy hands off of him.
Gorgeous!

The 4th of July Part 2: Jackson

After the BBQ, we loaded up in our cars and headed to Jackson for the weekend. Papa surprised the kids with cowboy hats. I don't think that Max and Mylie took theirs off all weekend. They ran around saying, "We are cowboys from Texas." Oh my gosh, they were absolutely hilarious! And seriously, look how cute these kids are!

Here they are watching for the stagecoach and getting ready to go on a ride. Grandma and Papa took the three big kids and Eliza. Mom said that Eliza was yelling and talking to everyone out the window.

They let off fireworks from the ski hill which we watched from the parking lot of our hotel, so perfect. The kids thought they were pretty hot stuff watching from the back of Papa's truck.

It was a great firework show, it probably went on for about 30 minutes. Sadly, there was no synchronized music (radio) to go along with the fireworks, but someone (Bailey) seranaded us all. I am proud to be an American!

The 4th of July Part 1: Idaho Falls

I love the 4th of July! We had such a great time this year on the 4th and for the whole weekend. My whole immediate family was all together for the first time in over a year. We had so much fun. First we went to the parade in Idaho Falls,

and then headed to Grandpa's for the traditional 4th of July BBQ. Grandpa Jack joined the party as did Steve and Ada and all their family (minus Fred).

Grandpa Jack with all his great-grandkids. What a cute picture. He is holding Nolan (Josh's son). He will be one later this month.

Still alive ...

No worries, we are still alive and well. I have lots to update but it will have to wait until this weekend. We had an amazing 4th and such a fun time in Jackson with everyone. Jeff had to go back to work and left on Sunday, but the kids and I are staying at my parents until Friday. Mylie is seriously having the time of her life playing with Max and Darcy from sunup to sundown (not exagerating here at all). I have lots of pictures and commentary, but will wait until I get back to my computer.

But I will leave you with a Darcy & Mylie story ... yesterday afternoon Max, Eliza and Blake were all taking naps (and Holli and I were hoping we could too) so I suggested to Darcy and Mylie that they play school. They had such a fun time and played really well together for about an hour and a half. However the got tired of playing school and decided to play church. They came into the family room where Holli and I were and put on a musical performance (they both have the sweetest little singing voices) and then Darcy declares that they are the School of Faith and Jesus Christ is their mascot. I may have peed my pants laughing!

5 months old!

Somehow Blake turns 5 months old today. Almost a half a year. Wow. Just a couple shots from the other night.
This shot is simply to show off his thighs!
We sure love having him our family ... and can't imagine our our family without him. I love snuggling him and giving him kisses and watching him smile. He is so dang ticklish and laughs and laughs. I love watching Mylie enjoy being a big sister. She says the cutest things to him and is such a huge helper. In fact the other day she asked me who my helper was when she was a baby. So cute!

So happy 5 month birthday Bubba. We love you!

"The Greatest Generation"

In the spirit of the 4th of July, yesterday I started reading "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw. It has been sitting on my shelf for a year. I knew that this book would resonate with me as both of my Grandpas served in World War II. In fact, my Grandpa Hammond gave this book to my Dad and he gave it to me. It didn't take long for me to tear up. Referring to the greatest generation, Tom Brokaw said this:

"[They are] like your neighbors, the older people who always fly the flag on the Fourth of July and Veterans Day and spend their vacation with friends they've had for fifty years at the reunion of his military outfit. They seem to have everything they need, but still count their pennies as if the bottom may drop out tomorrow. Most of all, they love each other, love life and love their country, and they are not ashamed to say just that."

Sound familiar?

Mylie, last fall, with Grandpa at his Navy Seabees reunion.

I love this holiday, the traditions that go along with it and the great love for this country that has been instilled in me. Happy 4th of July!