Stars and Stripes

Enjoying private fireworks in front yard

I hate blogger sometimes! When I upload pictures in chronological order, they always upload disorganized. Grrr!!

Well our Fourth of July was AWESOME! We enjoyed our time with my parents and my brothers Corey and Matt and their families. We hosted a super fun BBQ at our house on July 3rd. This is the day we got our boys back from Corey and Daymi, we were ready for them! They were so excited to see Zach again, they stood around his swing with their cousins for a while when they arrived (see 3rd picture).
For the BBQ we had Corey's Badminton set up, the slip-n-slide set up on the hill in the backyard, the pool set up, lots of delicious food, and a large shade tree providing cool relief on a 97 degree day!

The crew enjoying the afternoon

The kids swam all afternoon

Adoring Zach upon arrival

After all the fun of the day, it was time to get the fireworks out and have some fun in the dark! We started in the back yard with sparklers (see last pic of the post). After the sun had fully set we headed to the front yard to enjoy a private fireworks show (See pic at top of post).

On July 4th, I took Kaydien and Kimball and Brandon to see the parade. Mike was gracious enough to stay with Zach, plus he was trying to help his parents with directions because they were stuck in Missouri on their road trip out west.

Brandon in awe at the Parade

Shortly after the parade we headed to Idaho Falls to enjoy the company of my extended family at my Grandparent's house. We enjoyed our time their, although I spent most of my time on the bench nursing Zachary:)

Mike jumping on the tramp with the Kiddos

We headed home early from that party, missing a good game of Wiffle ball, so we could relax a little and get ready for the big fireworks show in Pocatello. The park right across the street has the perfect view of the fireworks show that is set off at the fairgrounds here in Pocatello. It is the place to be if you do not want to fight crowds!! Matt's family came over to enjoy the works with us, and I heard later on the next day that it was a good show. I, of course, had to leave the park before it was even dark because Zach was fussy and wouldn't calm down. Trying to get him to calm down under a nursing cover, at dusk, in a park is kinda hard. Oh well:)

All the kiddos enjoying the big
fireworks show at the park

Kaydien and Kimball with sparklers

We feel nothing but pride and gratitude for our country, and when we see the stars and stripes, it reminds me of all the freedoms that I enjoy! It was a grand few days enjoying our family and remembering those freedoms and the men and women who have fought to keep our freedoms intact.