4th of July!

We had a fabulous 4th of July this year!  We started out with a yummy ward breakfast then chilled at our house and watched Sandlot til lunch time. Dan also taught McKenna about the Declaration of Independence by showing her a video done  by Schoolhouse Rock. A gem, as usual.  After eating, the kids napped in the car as we drove up to Midway for the Nelson family party.  Aunt Marjorie is always the BEST face painter.  Again, McKenna was too chicken to do the face, so she got a beautiful butterfly on her hand.   

Ben was content to eat someone's sucker he found on the ground.  Don't worry, it was still in the wrapper when he found it.  

Midway has all a kid could ask for!  

 Some swings...

a trampoline...

and the bike parade! 

This was our kids' first year participating.  Dan had just completely gotten off of crutches the day before.  So his two laps around the driveway was no small feat!  

Grandfather even participated!  That bike was his when he was a youngster!

After the parade, there were GAMES!  Hula hooping (which I'm actually quite good at ;) ), a water balloon relay race, basketball shooting, and water balloon volleyball.  

After a delicious dinner at Midway, we headed to a Thompson family gathering for the fireworks!

McKenna was playing with the "big kids" and the smoke bombs.  Sniff, sniff.  She's growing up! 

What a good lookin' crowd! 

Yes, Ben's trying to get away from me.  Oh well.  

After the cul-de-sac fireworks, we walked to a nearby soccer field to enjoy the Sugarhouse fireworks show.  I was very thankful Ben wasn't freaked out by any of the loud ones, except he was a little more cuddly.  :)  McKenna liked the fireworks that were up close at my aunts house, but she could have cared less about the big show at Sugarhouse.  Oh well, again. :) 

We are SO thankful to live in this amazing country.  It was fun this year to have McKenna finally understand a little about America's Birthday!