Let Freedom Ring!

We had a great time celebrating Independents Day. We meet up with a bunch of friends for our annual BBQ and to watch the city firework show on the 3rd. On Saturday the 4th we took the kids down to pick out our own fireworks for that evening (we definitely learned since living here, that you buy them here in Kirtland and NOT in f-town city limits. They are a LOT better fireworks out here!). We had fun setting them off! Our neighbors were setting theirs off too so we were taking turns watching the ‘shows’.





We splurged a little and got a couple bigger fireworks this year. We have always wanted to get the ones that really go up and burst….that being said, our splurging was mediocre (to say the least) compare to what is available out there! I love the 4th and can’t wait to celebrate it every year.

Okay, so the next couple of pictures are not the beast (I needed to use a wide-angle lens)
But here’s some of everyone visiting and playing football before the fireworks started.





How was your 4th??

So beautiful....

Aztec Indian Ruins

We’ve Been really busy this summer and very blessed to have had lots of family visit too : ) Natalie, Melanie & Zak came to visit this past week. They had to take off today to go back home…..we’ll miss you guys!
I have lots of fun things to post about our week with them but FIRST I want to play catch-up and post about a few things I’ve been meaning too. So, here’s some pics of our trip to the Aztec Ruins. We were able to go when my mom and sisters where down. I hadn’t been out there in years and years. It was a first for my kiddos.






Krista, Mom, Jenaya, Benny, Cammy, Lanessa & SayLee







We also saw a little bit of this.....







The kids filled out information throughout the walk in the ruins. When they were all done they took it back to the Ranger and she made each of them Jr. Rangers….badge and certificate and all! They thought they were pretty cool stuff! : )



It's funny when you live so close to sooo many National Monuments and just seem to never go. I’m really glad we went to the Ruins, we had so much fun!

Look what was in our back yard!

Does anyone know what kind of snake this is??

*I think I just found what kind it is Gopher Snakes

Happy Birthday Ben & Lanessa!

Ben & Lanessa turned 4 on Monday. It Seems like only yesterday that they looked like this....







I took these when they were 3 ½ months old. I wish I knew then what I know now about photography but I was able to spiff them up in photoshop ; )

I can’t believe in four short years they have gone from such little babies to such BIG kids!









They wanted me to make a caterpillar cake this year. They LOVED it!





Daddy made his famous homemade ice-cream. Yummy!



Benny, cracked me up with his determination to break that thing open!!



Cousin Calum has been down visiting for the last couple of weeks…..he’s so cute!





HaPpY BiRtHdAy BEnNy & NeSsY!!!
We Love You Two So Much!!