The 4th

It's been such a quick summer.

I mean, really, it just started and yet here I am working on gathering the unbelievable amount of things it requires for a child to go back to school.

I am already donning the shroud of mourning, and there are still three weeks (a mere three weeks?!) to drink in these full (sometimes extremely long) days with my three eldest children.  I am trying to shrug off these depressing, Eyore-ish thoughts... trying, trying, trying. 

*Shaking my head*

Anywho, let's get on with Independence day, shall we?  Really, I have exhausted my little reservoir of writing that occasionally fills up, so I'll just share some pretty pictures.

Finally, my navy blue chevron wall is useful!

 

Seriously, these kiddos of mine are such posers.

We did some hair chalking, using our sidewalk chalk this year, and applied some temporary tattoos.

Then off to super-preggers Whitney's house to help her get patriotic. 

Look at the belly on her!  

Yes, we gussied up our toes to match our red and blue hair.

Then over to Nana and Papa's for dinner and a show.

Ha ha ha!  I cannot get over this belly!

Pop-Its! So much fun to throw!

And even more fun to throw at each other...

 

Topher was in charge of the pyrotechnics.  

The fireworks scared poor little Wyatt.  He kept covering his ears and saying, "Wee Oo, Wee Oo, Wee Oo"- which is Wy-Fi for firetruck.

He felt pretty safe when Daddy held him, however.

 Oh, how I love sparklers.

The fun ended early since the fourth was on a Thursday and a few peeps had work the next day (boo!).

God bless America!

the 4th

**Orrin and I spent 30 minutes trying to get a pic of all 4 kiddos smiling at the camera, and this is the best we got.**



On Independence Day, we got up early (and everyone was just so thrilled... and by everybody, I mean OP) and went to see Cars 2.

Honestly, it was kinda disappointing. But the kids liked it and we got to eat popcorn for breakfast, so it wasn't a total waste.

Ain't this baby the cutest? 'Cause I think he is!



Orrin had to work early the next day, so he stayed home with lil' Wyatt while the rest of the kids and I went with mi familia to Rustler's Rooste. This place was super awesome, but I think I want to go back when it's not a holiday (and probably without the chillens) to fully enjoy.




**And a tip: he kiddos eat free, but their drinks cost as much as an adults. I didn't know this**



It was a cowboy steak house, and the atmosphere was terrific.



Awwww...



They had a live country band there with dancing. Luckily we brought along Aunt Whit to get out there and shake it!







This is my big bro Zach... look how his and his lil' baby Nola's expression match!



I thought that these carrots were the coolest.











We were going to watch the fireworks from the porch on the restaurant, but there was a ton of people and it was sweltering, so we watched about 4 different shows from the freeway on the way home!