4th of July and Bear Lake

I am so far behind on this blog- so get yourself a yummy snack, a good drink, get comfortable, and enjoy this long post! I LOVE summer- I love BBQ's, fireworks, playing in water, running from one activity to the next, being with family, I love it all. I especially love the 4th of July- it is my favorite holiday! We always go to Bear Lake over the 4th of July. This year, before we headed up, we attended the 4th of July festivities in Stone, Idaho. There was a HUGE parade- consisting of maybe 10 "floats." Sean's grandpa has restored an old truck and he drove it with the kiddos in it. Brooklyn was ecstatic all week just thinking of her parade debut. I didn't think Gracie would ride in it, but one look at the candy bag and she was sold. They had a BLAST!! We hung out at Sean's grandparents house all day with family and then went to the BIG firework show. Like the parade, it was small, but for a small town it was nice.

The gals in their 4th apparel

Our little family

Sean's cute grandparents and the gals. The gals adore these two- so do I.

Sean's grandpa posing with his classic truck

The gals in their parade debut

Brooklyn enjoying the fireworks

The gals and Sean having fun with the sparklers. Quite surprisingly, Gracie was enjoying them. I think that 2.2 seconds after this picture was taken, she touched the flame and burned her finger- ending her fun with sparklers. Sean's grandma spoiled us with a fun firework display at their house.

On sunday, we headed up to Bear Lake. My dad and uncle Ric put on their usual 4th feast. We had a blast up there. I have had a part-time job this summer so I was driving back and forth- I would hate to think I would have to do that every day. But, luckily the gals have grandma and Nat that watched them while I was gone. We enjoyed the beach, swimming at the pool, playing in the sprinklers, visiting, and looking for deer. The kids loved the night that we saw one right off the side of the road and they were able to sit and watch it. I LOVE Bear Lake. I have so many fun memories of up there and can't wait for my gals to start creating their own memories of up there. I am glad my grandparents had the vision of it being a gathering place- and for my parents keeping it so I can create those precious memories with my own little family.

Enjoying the beach

Hey good-lookin'

This gal cracks me up- good thing she has her goggles and snorkle to play in the sprinkler

Again she cracks me up- at one point she also had on a life jacket to complete the ensemble. She loved swimming.

Gracie being ever so cautious- I was shocked that she enjoyed swimming as much as she did. She couldn't get enough. She even got brave and rode down the slide with my cute cousins.