July 3rd

We have the most fun for the fourth of July here in our town.

The celebration starts on the third with a children's parade, concert in the park & fireworks. It's my favorite two days of the year!

We take a traditional meal of-

Albertson's fried chicken (my favorite),

shrimp pasta salad,

watermelon &

cupcakes, of course...

WE only eat this meal once a year- so it means a lot to the kids? I don't know why, but we never eat this salad or fried chicken except for on the 3rd. The kids were so excited about the salad.. who knew?

This year - second year in a row-- we had my sister Johnna & her family with us from WA state!

we wish this would become a tradition, it was so fun to have them here.

Next year-

Jack will most likely be gone on a mission, so this was his last year at the park for a while... someday I hope we are all here together again. It would mean the world to me. But, for now- I'm just happy my children are all doing so well, wherever they are!

Trent is currently obsessed with Transformers.

The cartoon & ya- I broke down & let him watch the first Transformer movie.

It's rated PG 13... so as family arrived at our house before the festivities he would announce- "I'm watching a violent movie!!" with excitement. He will NOT be watching the second one currently in theatres- pretty much ever, if I have my way, which I won't.

So- he came along to the park with Optimus Prime in hand- fun- not & the movie with my laptop. This was the second year he hasn't gotten lost & the first year he has not been difficult, so apparently "violent movies" are good for something.

Brittany & Marcus were with us!

They will be married in less than a week- amazing.

Marcus has been with us for the fourth of July for years & it is just more special when he is here. It just feels right.

The band this year, The BEAch ToYs were fantastic!

I will admit I was a little worried when I saw their name...

but seriously the were GREAT!!

-We loved them-

They even look like the beach boys-

It was so fun to be together.

I sure love these girls.

They have been an absolute joy this summer.

They helped me to get ready for company & with dinner, and with Trent- they are awesome.

They are leaving soon for a week with Megan in Arkansas...

I don't know what I will do without them!??

Miraculously the Beach Toys turn into the Monkeys part way through the show, really great stuff here. They really sounded like them & hey- look like them too!

We sat near great friends at the park & here is Cassidy enjoying a cupcake-

I think she is my biggest cupcake fan here.

We even talked to Joy- from Joy's of Home- yep, she only lives a block from me... wow knowing a cool blogger like her is better than knowing a celebrity!
do you read her? she is amazing!

These pictures are especially for Megan & the missionary.

Jack & one of his best friends Zach.

They are going to be college roommates soon.

Cool beans man.

Soon after the Monkeys preformed--

they morphed into

The Beattles
Their best band yet!

Trent found a little friend who wandered over to see what he was watching.

Is she darling or what?

He offered her one of his head phones... so cute.

At least he's nice, I mean- for someone who watches violence??

The fireworks & patriotic music was oh so wonderful....

I have been trying for hours to upload video with this post - with no success.

Maybe later I will try it again?

It was a great day!

MOre on the fourth to come.