Family Fourth of July Fun

I'm trying to catch up on all of the summer fun . . .here are some shots from the week surrounding the Fourth of JulyEthan and Megan playing at Willard Bay with the kids (James, Ashton & Charlie)
Hunter catching a few winks under the shade at Willard Bay Beach

Building sandcastles while waiting our turn on the Jet skis

Arianne, Ethan, Ashton, Grace, James, Brittany, Charlie

Showing my true colors - I love this country we live in and

I am so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy

"Freedom isn't free

You've got to pay the price

You've got to sacrifice for your liberty . . ."
from Let Freedom Ring, by Paul & Ralph ColwellWe all took turns cooking . . . Jesse & Cori served these colorful Patriotic Parfaits for breakfast on the 4th.

We were all really impressed by the well organized and fun events planned by Westpoint City . . . for several days there were lots of fun activities in the park for children and adults alike, a parade, fabulous fireworks, team competitions, races, lots of food, and educational displays.
Our cheerleaders at the Westpoint Independance Day Parade
Charlie, Jacob, Grace, Sydni & Grant

Jesse, Grant, Cori & Grace

Charlie, Arianne & James

I've always said our children have a healthy competitive spirit . . . and they were all gung ho to join the pie eating contest. Brittany, Damien and Ethan joined about twenty others to see who could gobble a strawberry, banana cream or chocolate pie the fastest . . . Damien tied for first place with another young man! Goooooo Demo!!! And can you believe they were all still hungry for pizza after this????

Watching the parade

Funny faces galore . . .

Jacob, Sydni, Ashton & Kourtni

Cori & Cory, Ethan & Ray formed teams for the Horseshoe contest - they didn't win, but came close and had a great time competing. Playing in the park one evening~ Kourtni, Grace, Sydni, Grant and Ethan

Cori & Jesse hiked Mt. Loafer trail and spent the night near the summit. Grace, Grant & I went up to drop them off at the trailhead in Payson Canyon.

Summer fun in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard.

Sydni, Allyson, Grace & Kourtni - our little sunshine girls.

Doesn't that look like pure joy? Kourtni & Gracie - catching a few rays . . .

We made several batches of playdough ~ Grant & Jacob created some interesting monsters. . .

Sydni and Grace cooking up something good to eat.

One of our favorite places to camp

Ashton, Grace & Grant at Payson Lakes

That's one lucky Papa Ray getting a backrub from Grace while Cori mans the grill.