Red, White and BOOM!

This years celebrations were different from our norm.  They week started out with going to a neighborhood block party with Colton's family.  Everyone brought a salad or something to share and their own meat.  We spent the daylight eating, chatting and laughing.  The boys ran around with fireworks like it was Christmas.  After it was dark we all gathered to watch the boys set of A LOT of fireworks.  They had such a good time. It was a great way to kick off the 4th of July!

Kenlee started coughing Monday night and by Tuesday morning it sounded really barky so with the holiday I called the doctor.  The poor little girl has croup again.  Luckily we had caught it fast enough that he could give her the steroid in his office and we didn't have to have an ER visit this time.  Because of this we had to cancel the pool party with Kenzie and let Kenlee rest.  Instead we had a quick bbq with Blake's family and then headed off to watch the Logan fireworks. Thanks to the Olson's we have a fabulous place to watch the fireworks.  We all go to Grandpa Johnson's house on cliffside.  It looks straight at over the island and right at the stadium.  Its awesome!

Waiting for the fireworks to begin :)

I spend to morning of the 4th finishing putting the girls out fits together, making cupcakes for the bbq and just trying to get us all ready to go. We headed over to my parents house to have a bbq at 1:00 with the Olsons and Marci and her kids (Travis was out of town on business)  Kenlee and Nyah had such a great time together.  They hadn't seen each other since before Jordyn was born.

My cute little firework!

Still cute but slightly more sassy firework.

 All the girls in their's patriotic outfits.

After the bbq we all headed to cutler to play in the water and hopefully cool off. It felt so good to get out in the water and play.

Blake and I left the girls on the shore with Grandma and Liz and took our turn to Knee board. It had been a long time since I had done this but it was sooo fun!

Blake had only ever been on the tub so he decided to try the knee board.  He got up on the first time and did AMAZING!  He handled everything we threw at him.

When he finally crashed it was so shallow he could stand up in the gross mud, YUCK!

 Karlee was being silly and wouldn't put the hat on so her nose won't burn.  Colton took charge and wore it to protect her nose for her. Now that's a good man!

Kenlee loves her life jacket!

Jordyn spent her time enjoying the shade on shore.  She was sporting her very cute swim suite!

Kenlee was such a little diva!  I asked her to say cheese and she looked at me.......

then turned away and pulled the hat down.

We had such an amazing 4th full of great people, awesome food and wonderful fun!

Sleeping Beautys

MY SWEET LITTLE GIRLS

Load UP and Lets GO

For the last few years my family has been talking about wanting to go on a backpacking trip, just something simple so that everyone could be involved.  Year after year we let it slip by without going, so this year my dad did the only logical thing, he set a date to go.  As soon as the trip was in motion my mom kindly volunteered to keep my girls and have Grandma Camp so we could go. What a sacrifice grandma :)  It started out that everyone, except Grandma, Kenlee and Jordyn, were going to be able to go.  As the next few weeks went by we found out that Blake wasn't going to be able to work his schedule to go and the just days before Brock found out that he had to work too.  We were all pretty bummed.  Tiffany and I were left husbandless. :(

The plan was to leave Friday after Colton got off work and we were all done with the Little Caesar fundraiser and then stay overnight and head back Saturday afternoon. We finally got all loaded up around 5:30 and headed to Tony Grove.  

Checking all the gear so we have no mishaps

What a boy!

The lovely Karlton

We were the husandless besties. Plus we have twinner shirts on.

The gorgeous view as we hicked away from Tony Grove Lake.

The backpacking Aztec Boy!

 All I see is a backpack with legs

Because of the extreme fire hazard this year we were not allowed to have a campfire. Therefore there wasn't much to do once it got dark.  Everyone split off to there separate tents after dinner and pumping water. Us sisters got to share a tent this time.  We figured it has been 7 or more years since we have all shared a tent, and last time we all were annoyed with each other. We had such a good time and were probably loader then the boy scouts camped below us.

  

All they need are agents and there modeling careers are set!

Be careful what you ask for, I said "hurry put your heads together"

Our snacks for the evening were vanilla cupcake goldfish and smores goldfish.

We are sooo sisters, we didn't plan our fuzzy socks but somehow all had them.

  

This is the emergency hatch, if I told you more, I would have to kill you.

The next morning Karlee found a friend, her hair had transformed into a beautiful dead squirral.

After breakfast we decided to go down to the lake and look around before packing out.  It was so pretty.  The water was so clear that you could see the little trout swimming around.  

I am Colton, King of the Rock and there's nothing you girls can do about it!

It was so wonderful to get out and enjoy the nature all around us.  I am glad that we finally buckled down and went on this trip.