Happy 4th of July

We had a really fun day yesterday.  Will had the day off work, so we could do fun family things.
And, of course, all dress the same.  I thought it was a cute idea to wear matching outfits.

Apparently, the little girls did not think it was such a cute idea.  We took several pictures and couldn't get any with them smiling or looking at the camera.  But we did all wear red shirts and blue jeans and felt a little patriotic.

Our ward had a big 4th of July breakfast.  The ward provided pancakes and asked everyone else to bring sides.  So we made a big fruit salad that was delicious.  I put my fruit on my pancake so I wouldn't have to use syrup.  The strawberry and the banana and the kiwi all tasted good on the pancake - not so much the watermelon. Oh well.  There were also lots of egg things and cinnamon rolls.  Will and I had to keep reminding ourselves that we were dieting.

Will brought his bubble contraption and was a huge hit at the breakfast.  The older kids liked chasing the bubbles Will blew and the younger kids got a kick out of using the flyswatter with the holes cut into it.  Poor Will had to basically stay there the whole time we were at the park, but I don't think he minded too much.

Rachel gets a little ride with my friend Jennifer.  I am her visiting teacher and she is Whitney's nursery teacher.  So we all know each other quite well. 

Another lady in our ward brought balloons and made balloon things for all the kids.  She could make hats or swords or little animals.

It is hard to tell from this picture, but this is Whitney's flower.  She carried it around with her for awhile and only had to be rescued a couple of times by me.  I don't think Whitney realizes how fragile balloons are and that they shouldn't be used to hit the bark on the playground.
So that was a fun time with our ward. It is nice to have get-togethers where everyone is calm and can just sit and relax and talk.

We went to Riverfront Park for the firework show.  It was super crowded with thousands of people everywhere.

This picture doesn't do the crowdedness justice.  We are on top of the red wagon slide.  Whitney was very patient and waited in line to get to go down the slide.  We only went down a couple of times because the wait wasn't very fun.  Whitney liked watching all the people.

The fireworks show started at 10:00, when it was good and dark. I tried to prepare Whitney ahead of time that the fireworks were going to be loud, but that they were far away and not scary.  Both Whitney and Rachel did a good job and watched the fireworks without getting scared.  Here are a couple pictures that Will took.  He was able to use a special setting for fireworks on the camera.  Who knew that cameras came with settings like that?

 

Of course, the fireworks looked much more awesome in person.  But I think Will did a good job getting picture of them. 

We had an awesome day.  I am so grateful for our free country and for all those who have been, or are currently, serving in the military to maintain that freedom.  We really are a blessed people.