Stadium of FI-RE! Stadium of FI-RE!! (AKA- most annoying theme song, EVER!)

After last year's great success with watching the Stadium of fire from the Provo temple grounds, we decided to do it again this year. Nobody loved us enough to join us this year, but we had fun anway. Maybe even more fun. Maybe not even maybe!! We didn't even miss you guys, so THERE!

We set up a tent this year to protect from both the sun and the intermittent rain. It was awesome. Best idea of the year goes to Ross for that one. The girls had fun playing around in it, it was easier to keep track of where they were, and with the air mattress and ice water, it was the perfect spot for a nap.

We also brought our litter hibachi grill and had some polish sausage dogs, chips, juice, and ice cream bars. It was a really fun day with very little expenditure of money or energy. Cheap and Lazy- the perfect homage to America!! :)

I was too lazy to even get my camer out much, so this is all you get. Just know that the lack of pictures does not in any way indicate a lack of laughter, enjoyment, or gratitude.

I love my little family so much, and I am so grateful for their place in my heart and in my life. They mean everything to me! I am grateful for the chance I have to raise them not only in this amazing country, but in this amazing state where I am more able to protect my girls from the terrible influences of the world. Most of all, I am grateful to my husband who loved his country and his freedom enough to join the Armed Forces and dedicate 6 years (that was the length of his contract before his duty caused epilepsy got him discharged) of his early life and career to help ensure the protection of those freedoms we hold so dear. Things changed dramatically in our life due to that decision- but most of the time I can't help but admit that we are a better couple because of what we faced during that time.

I have always had great pride in being the daughter of an Ex-Marine (Hoorah!), and being raised through my early life as an Army brat. His conviction for the military and this country was always something I loved and admired about my father, and I am grateful that my husband shares those qualities. God Bless America!

My Sister's Keeper

Loved it! I will definitely go see it again when I feel the need to lose 10 pounds in saline! Brittany was nice enough to go see it with me even though she had already seen it less than a week before. She warned me that I would bawl, and she was not at all exagerating. It was intense. I wish we would have taken a before and after picture. My make-up was non-existent when he got out of there, and we both had puffy eyes and noses. All-in-all (am I the only one who says that anymore?) it was a good start to my Independance Day! I love how patriotic we look with her red and white, and my blue- even if Brittany claims to hate holidays (I don't believe it!).

On another side note- Ross and I went to see Transformers the day before and HATED it. It was bad. I definitely needed this to restore my faith in Hollywood.

Fireworks of Happiness and Joy- 2009

On Thursday night, my parents had theur annual fireworks extravaganza complete with crazy kids, cute cousins, awesome goodies, and witty presentations. A good time was had by all!

Emma got a lot more daring this year and played with snaps and sparklers- no doubt with the help of her pyromaniac aunt. (I love you, Heather!)

Chris liked to give people high fives with snaps. Good thing I generally abhor high fives!

Craig was jealous of all the cool camp chairs, so he went and got his own variation. . .

Ross and I thoroughly enjoyed Danielle's prize winning caramel apples.

Sara is pretty.

So is Emma.

This is where Heather got her pyro-related attributes! Dad lit some citronella oil to ward off the bugs. About 5 minutes after this, it caught those dries stems on fire and I went into protective mommy overload and doused it with the bucket of water to put out the used sparklers. It was a little over the top- but not by a lot. . .

Jay and Lara brought their kids over too, which was a lot of fun. I like them!

Emma was a little nervous about the fireworks at first, but she wanted comfort from Grandma instead of me! Grandma is way more fun, and has way more goodies!

Fireworks are romantic. This was my favorite part of the night. There were two wand things called Lady Liberty sticks, which Heather and Caulene used to duel. I am a dork- but I was definitely not the only dork there!

Avada-Kedavra!

Expelliarmus!

Expecto-Patronum! (Good form, Caulene!)

Corbyn and Annika found a good spot with a great view!

Sorry- she is really pretty. I love those eyes!

The best firework titles of this year included: 'Watefall of Jubilation and Worry', 'Fountain Dedicated to the Little Boy Who Climbed the Mountain to Get His Mommy a Flower', and the 'Death to Math Screamer'. My sisters are funny, a little crazy, and just weird enough to make cheap fireworks insanely entertaining! Thanks Girls! You rock!

Primary Carnival

The primary in our ward did a carnival for all the kids last weekend. It was a lot of fun- which is saying a lot coming from me because I truly thought it was going to be a disaster!

They wouldn't let Ross and me try this game. We were both sorely dissappointed.
Sara and I were in charge of the bean bag toss. Also, please notice the fancy cushy Relief Society chairs that Ross scrounged up for me! I loves him!

This is Sara guarding the bean bags. She really liked the green one.

Ross had Emma do the cake walk about 4 times so that I could have a cupcake too.

This is Ross trying his hand at my station during a lull. We won't talk about his score. It will only hurt his feelings if I publicly mention that he was worse than the 6 years old girl with coke bottle glasses and an armfull of balloon animals. Emma won that little blue hand from the fishing booth and gave it to Sara. She would not let it go for anything! That cute girl with the balloon hat is my Maggie! Emma and I both adore her. She is sweet, smart, and well behaved. She is also really funny and is a bit of a gossip- which just makes her that much more loveable.

Emma later got a blue dog balloon which she made me turn into a hat like Maggie's. It was super cute, but my camera battery died. I fail! It was a really fun morning though, and I feel bad now for doubting the idea in the first place. I do have to say though, that I think most of the success came from the fact that not many kids came. We only had about 80 there, which made things much less chaotic than I was expecting.