Rain? Sun? Make Up Your Mind.

For Family Home Evening we were planning on going for a family walk.  Usually we walk around our neighborhood, but we decided to head the the neighborhood a little further south.  Well that was until it started raining.  I think we have had enough moisture in this so called desert that we live in.  I looked out the window to see if maybe it was just a quick sprinkle that would allow us to still go for our walk.

The sun is shining and the sky is blue.  Why is it raining?

I took a video to show how sunny and nice it is, but my camera sucks.  At least it shows the sun glaring off the camera and you can see the rain soaking the ground.  You can even hear birds chirping.

Anyway, we decided to play games with the kids. 

I really don't know what it is about the game Cootie, that kids like so much.

I am just amazed that we still have every single piece that is came with.

We had a simple spiritual lesson and the kids had fun, that's what matters.

Miss Phoenix turns 2

What do you get a 2 year old for her birthday?  Bling.

  

Bows, bracelets, necklace, purse, wand, sunglasses... you name it, the dollar store has it.  

 

 

She didn't even put down anything before opening the next present.

Delicious Strawberry shortcake with another layer of strawberries in the middle. MMM

Don't worry, no 2 year old's spit ended up on this cake.

Really, the glow sticks were meant for the kids, but we had fun too.

  

We let the kids play with Phoenix's new water toy in the morning. 

  

Fun, Fun, Fun. 

Happy Birthday to my sweet little baby.

(Can you believe it?  I haven't been prego for 2 years.  I think it may be a record for me)

Playing with Tools

We all decided to help Daddy in the garage today.  Well mostly Rose and Denise.  They had made a deal, if Damon helped Rose with her car, they would help build shelves in the Garage.

Denise used the band saw, Rose worked with the grinder, and Damon welded the pieces together. 

Blake also got out his tools to help.  (Help while eating an apple.)

Phoenix reminded me of somebody.

Then I got a quick lesson on welding, then Damon let me weld all by myself. 

It was pretty fun actually.  I even did well enough,

that he let me weld on the real shelves and not just the scraps.

Kid tested, Dad approved.

4th of July Festivities

Here is how our day went.

1- Make and eat a delicious breakfast of crepes with fruit and yogurt, bacon, and hashbrowns.

2- Get dressed in red, white, and blue

3- Gather the needed accessories for the parade. Flags, bells, chairs, and umbrella in case of rain.

4- Take cute pictures of the kids to remember our fun day. 

     

Blake, Hailee, Phoenix, Ryann

     

Then the Aunts showed up to celebrate with us... and they brought us all new holiday t-shirts.

5- Changed into our cute new shirts and off we went. 

It's a good thing we had the umbrella- it did rain on us, a little.

Rose, Hailee, Denise, Jen, Blake, Damon, Phoenix, Veronica, Ryann

6- Enjoy the little parade in Magna.  Best part- Hailee's friend Tommy was in the parade- he had a super soaker, and boy did he soak Hailee and Blake.

 

 

I think the kids favorite part was the candy.  What a funny picture of Ryann- oh so excited.

7- Come home eat a quick hot dog lunch.

8- Rest from our morning.

9- Damon and I go visit a new niece in the hospital. 

Congrats Steven and Angie for Daughter #5: Chelsea Alexa

10- Head home to make a traditional 4th of July dinner- Nothing is more patriotic than Chile Verde.  (I'll have to post my newly tried recipe tomorrow.)

We had hot dogs for lunch, so we opted for a Mexican dinner.  Don't forget the red, white and blueberry cake.

11- Take a walk to burn off a bit of our overeating day.

12- Light fireworks with the neighbors, the Jumps . 

Hailee with a sparkler, Amelia's first sparkler with her daddy's help. 

Aunt Denise helps Phoenix with her first sparkler, our stash, Blake. 

Phoenix chilling with mommy, Ryann keeping warm with Aunt Rose.

Blake, Amelia, and Phoenix ready for the Grand Finale.

Damon's favorite part- the BOOM BOMB.

Here is a video of our grand finale.  Very Spectacular! (for cheap fireworks)

Hope you had a great holiday. 

"Take our Picture, Take our Picture"

Gotta love kids playing nicely together in the back yard.

The Mangums from next door came to play.

Ryann, Rachel, Bo, Blake, Julia, Hailee, Phoenix