Independance Day

We were in Logan for the 4th of July this year. At noon we began the festivities with the Hyrum Parade. Elise quickly found a seat front and center with Jon's cousin Brinley.

There was so much to see, Alex didn't know where to look first. But he had a lot to say about it.

The kids started to get a little restless waiting for the parade to start so Jon whipped out the Pop-Itz...

Here is a group shot of us all sitting patiently waiting.

Brotherly love: Jon and Jake.

Jon and me.

Toothy grin from Alex.

It's starting! Raech and Jake can't contain their excitement!

Elise liked waving at the floats as they went by. She especially liked the Miss Millville, Miss Nibley and Miss Wellsville floats.

Ah, but then something in grandpa's hands caught her eye...

...nothing beats gummy worms.

You can't really see it in this picture, but Elise is showing off her first tooth (finally!!). It's on the left (her right) if you care to take a closer peek.

A little nod here to Jon's alma mater Mountain Crest and the good old marching band.

This was a fun one: Catch the Reading Bug. The kids really liked it.

Alex loved watching the motorcycles (or the "bike-a-cycles," as he calls them).

Later in the afternoon, we went to Grandma Mortensen's for Grandpa Mortensen's birthday party. Jon's aunts and uncles were all there, including Marcia. Alex and Elise both have a really fun time with Marcia whenever she comes up from Bountiful.

Getting ready to eat.

Jon and Aunt Bar-Bar catching up.

Elise is learning about the sounds that animals make. She gets stuck sometimes, though...

Playing with Daddy.

We're about to eat and Alex is super-excited!

Grandpa Mortensen on his 81st birthday.

Big hug for Daddy from Alex.

Grandma Mortensen has such a lovely backyard, I couldn't resist taking a picture.

Raechel has a fun time teasing Alex. He's like the little brother she never had...

Alex and Elise giving Daddy loves.

Elise likes to sing a lot. She has a pretty good ear for someone who's not quite 2.

Mommy is starting the kids' chocolate training early. It takes years of dedication to become a true connoisseur of the wonder that is chocolate. Note the goose-egg on Elise's forehead, She took a faceplant onto Grandma's cement patio.

Chocolate training over, the kids have some fabulous chocolate mustaches to show off.

It was a pretty eventful day. In the time it took to drive from Grandma Mortensen's house to Jon's folks' house for fireworks, the kids were out. I loved the position Alex was in and couldn't pass up the opportunity to blackmail him later.

Happy 4th of July!