To no one's surprise, the boys had a blast on the 4th of July. They were busy all day and had fun with everything! We started the day out with the parade. It took them a little while to understand that they needed to run and grab the candy and other things people were throwing, but once they caught on it was funny to watch them. There was a little girl next to us that was really aggressive, but the boys quickly understood they had to get there first to get the candy! Radley refused to get up and grab the candy, but there were plenty of people to help him get his bucket full too. After the parade, Shandi started a water fight with the water guns and balloons she brought. I think that was the best part of the day. I tried to stay inside to take pictures so the camera wouldn't get wet. It was fun for everyone!! Oma was even throwing balloons from the kitchen window. Oma and Papa Dude made dinner with brisket, beans, corn, potatoes, fruit salad, etc. that was delicious! The fireworks started late and we didn't want to fight big crowds so we just drove down to the river and watched from the car. It was perfect and everyone fell asleep on the way home!
Not quite sure about this parade thing yet, but towards the end Damon was the quickest one out there.
They had a lot more fun that it looks!
Most everyone in our group!
The sprinkler was a hit! Damon and Radley were loving it!
Radley is the best about getting wet. He doesn't care who gets him wet. He just smiles and squirts the next person or runs straight through the sprinkler.
Pure joy because he loved the water fight.
Oma helping him get Shandi, but he didn't need help for very long. He was able to squirt the gun just fine on his own!
Ready to go watch fireworks!
Sitting with Papa Due in the front. One of the fireworks was a smiley face. It was really cool!
Kyler watching from the back.
Kyler didn't stay back there long. They all seemed to like watching the show.
Here is a little bit of the water fight I was able to catch from the screen door. Every time I would step outside Radley would squirt me. I didn't want to ruin the camera so I just filmed from inside as best as I could.
Aunt Shandi and Uncle Chris were able to come down from DC to visit for the 4th of July weekend. We all had a lot of fun playing together and just messing around. One morning we went to the high school football field / track to let the boys play with some new toys and run around. They loved the open space and playing with everyone!
This was also a favorite activity for the boys. Kyler especially loved the PlayStation.
Uncle Chris showing Kyler how to shoot the airplane.
There were some big tires left on the field, and Emma jumped right in and let Chris push her around. He said it was quite the workout!
Kyler wanted a turn to roll around.
We decided this was the safest route to get him around.
Of course Damon had to try it out too.
Emma and Sara facing off! Kyler and Damon liked playing with these too, but preferred them indoors
Zadi Bug
Kyler and Damon ready to watch the girls hit each other.
Radley got hot and tired and just sat down with Papa Dude.
Papa can always find something for them to play with, anywhere!
Contemplating life or who he is going to tackle next!
Playing some soccer.
Beautiful Oma
Taking Uncle Chris down.
Moving in on Papa Dude.
Kyler versus Damon round 2. I missed the first attempt at the boys hitting each other because I thought my camera was filming, but it wasn't. I was shocked when Damon agreed to do it again 2 days later. The result was pretty much the same!
One mid-morning we decided to go to a park, thinking it was only 80 degrees outside we should be fine. However, it was so hot and humid we all were about to pass out after about 30 mins. of being outside! We were wimps when it came to the Missouri humidity! The boys all had bright red faces!!
The cutest little cheesy face!
Taking everyone for a spin.
Damon cannot resist climbing or doing flips.
Radley has to take the hard way to the top, never the stairs.
We decided to take a road trip to visit family in Missouri while Daddy stayed home to study for his big license exam. After seeing Grandma and Grandpa in Dallas we spent the night with Papa Dude's parents before driving to St. Louis. The boys had a blast at Mammy and Papa's house.
The day after arriving in Missouri it was Mormon Night at the Cardinals game. My sister Sara sang the National Anthem with the Rising Generation LDS Youth Choir which was really cool. They sounded amazing! The game was rather boring and the Cardinals ended up losing, but it was fun to experience with the boys. I think they had a lot of fun too.
We made a pit stop at a HUGE Bass Pro Shop in Springfield on our drive. The boys loved climbing on and into all the boats and other recreational toys!
The famous St. Louis Arch from the stadium
We were all given these clappers before the game which I thought were pretty neat. Papa Dude helped the boys pop a lot of them before the night was over, and I think they liked that best!
It didn't take Radley very long to figure out how to make noise!
Kyler always had to be right next to Papa Dude.
Sara's Choir walking down to home plate getting ready to sing.
Group pictures are still a work in progress.
Ready to sing.
Sara's face was the first to pop up on the big screen. They showed her more than anyone!
Grandma and Grandpa had a conference in Dallas one weekend and thought it was probably the closest they would get to our part of Texas, so they invited us to join them after the conference was over. The boys and I drove to Dallas Friday afternoon and met them downtown at the hotel. We were able to spend a lot of time with them since the conference was over and played hard! We did a lot of walking since we were downtown (which none of us were used to doing), but we still had a lot of fun! Our museum pass from home got us into a museum that was close and staying in a hotel was excitement enough for the boys! I of course forgot to get my camera out much and didn't get great pictures, but I have a few! We were also able to visit with some other family in the area that I haven't seen in years and the boys have never met. It was a good and exhausting weekend!
We saved the boys from getting soaked in he water fountains by distracting them with this hill. Damon yelled as he was running, "I'm King of the Mountain!"
Radley was not about the be left out!
Damon posing outside the museum. We were all ready to go inside because it was extremely humid!
This guy was a trooper! My Dad's Fitbit said that we walked over 5 miles this day, and Kyler walked it all!
It was a photo finish!
At the museum there was an exhibit to race different animals and athletes to see how you measured up! The boys of course picked the cheetah to race against first. Obviously they didn't have a chance, but Damon thinks he has super speed like a cheetah!
Next they thought they might have a better chance racing a T-Rex!
