Independence Day and the "4th" of July

Ben had the day off of work on Friday, so we started our celebrations early by going to the beach.

We played with some cute friends.

Cody, Macey and Ben did some boogie boarding

and sand castle building 

 and mermaid sculpting 

 Two days before the 4th I decided to run the 10K Freedom Run. 

To train, I had gone on vacation and eaten out often with lots of treats mixed in.

Do you like where this is going? I'm already making excuses.

Anyway. When I signed up I kind thought it would be funny if I took 4th place, because, I always never win. But I've gotten 4th many times. Which is cool. It's just...not cool. So close, but so far away.

Well it just so happens, I TOOK 4th place! In my age group.

When I went and looked at the times, it was almost nostalgic.

At least this time it wasn't frustrating, just ironic.

I have a friend who ran a race, but it wasn't a city race, it was a legit race with camera crews ready to interview the winners. Well, she came in 2nd place, but once the times were figured in she ended up in 4th place, OVERALL. (remember the "not a city race" - she's super fast.) The camera crews mid-sentence ran away from her to interview the others!! She is from Argentina originally and in Spanish there's a saying and I don't really know what it is, but something like "Marta Marta viene en quarta"

Martha martha comes in fourth. I don't know...but it sounds funny in spanish!

Anyway, I'm getting used to being the first loser. Call me Marta.

 After my race I went and got the kids to do their race. 

A 1k - they rocked it!

 We went swimming then headed over to a friend's house for a bbq.

 Then headed to the park for games and fireworks.

 When Mackayla gets really tired she gets a little extra pep in her step.

So for at least half of the fireworks she danced around us to the music and tried to grab the fireworks. 

 The finale was pretty awesome this year, here's the evidence:

 After the fireworks it is the mass exodus home. There's only a couple cars on the road and a huge line of people leaving the park in every direction. This year we had the kids ride their scooters and it worked out great. We live about a mile from all the action. By the end of the night, from walking back and forth, I had walked/ran 13 miles!

 We're thankful for our country and the freedoms we enjoy

The Farm

 Crosland's were nice enough to let us ride at the farm one evening. It's a lot of work to saddle the horses and get them ready to ride and then help each kid get a turn.

Ironically, we never see a horse where we live (besides Ben) and I'm grateful the kids got to be around what their dad does everyday.

 

 

Kaysville/Fruit Heights Adventures of Northern Utah Summer 2015

After Lake Powell we drove up to Kaysville/Fruit Heights to spend a week with family.

We got to see sweet Oakley!!

A small creek trail between Kaysville and Fruit Heights was finished and I walked and jogged it almost every day. Every time I pass Davis High I am always surprised at how different it is since I went there. 95 years ago.

 We started out our week with the Purdy's by going to Boondocks. It was a super hot day so the boat rides were a good idea. Miniature golfing was maybe pushing it, but I really wanted the kids to at least try it, they've never been!

 They loved the arcade games and laser tag. 

 We finished up at a mexican restaurant. Yum! 

 

 

 On Father's Day we went over to Becky's and Brett's for dinner of smoked chicken and roasted vegetables and got to meet their live chickens, the Golden Girls and McNugget. 

 I love the parade of homes and we went to a few of the homes throughout the week there. I loved all the map decorations and wanted to take a picture of all of them. I love maps!!

 In this house each of three kids' rooms had a way to get up into a finished attic room for the kids. So cool!

 We got to go to Cherry Hill once with my family and once with Ben's. We LOVE Cherry Hill!

 

 We got up at the crack of dawn to hike Timpanogos Cave. I am so proud of my kids for being such good sports. I am TERRIBLE at getting up early, but they are rockstars. Mackayla could sleep in till noon if I let her, but even she is pleasant getting up early.

It's a steep mile and a half to the top, not too bad, and these guys did great.

 At one point they turn out the lights to show us how dark it is in the caves and when they turned on the lights a guy was on one knee proposing to his girlfriend. So cute.

 Lunch at Kneaders (photo courtesy of Mackayla)

 Park City was our next days' adventure!

 Cody found this car in Park City. In memory of a little boy these cars are hidden throughout the U.S. It seems like a sweet way to remember him. We want to hide some.

  I learned a fun new hairdo from Amy to do in the girls' hair. Perfect since I really can't french braid.

It was fun for the kids to be able to just have space to run and play in the backyard. They love jumping on the tramp, swinging, playing in the sand and picking veggies out of the garden. We had all the fresh peas and strawberries we could eat! I LOVE space!!!!!

Ben was going to come up Friday night and go on a guided fishing day trip with his dad, but his flight was last minute cancelled! He couldn't get in until the next day. I felt so bad. He still came just in time to turn around and drive back with us!

Our drive home was predictably long and traffic filled, but we had an awesome sunset!