24th of July

The 24th of July started out early, as usual, since the parade starts at 9am in Enterprise.  So we got up early and headed up and got there just in time to set up our chairs and get settled before the parade started.  The kids had their bags ready to gather their candy (not that we needed any more, we probably still have some candy from last year's parade, but that's the fun of it Ü).  Grandpa Simkins was in the parade this year riding in the truck that pulled the Stake Presidency float (he's the Stake Clerk) so he threw a few extra pieces of candy our way.

Dad & the kiddos getting ready for the parade to start

Mia & Halen picking up candy

Grandma watching Alex & Cassidy

This is how Mia sat while the fire engines went by with their sirens going Ü

After the parade we all hung out at grandma & grandpa's house visiting and letting the kids play for a while before we headed over to Great Grandma Simkins' house for our annual BBQ.  It's always fun to get together with all the cousins that we don't get to see much.  This is about the only time I see my uncle Glen & aunt Jill.  The get-together is also to celebrate my grandpa Simkins' birthday.  He would have been 93 this year.  I can't believe he's been gone for 6 years...I miss him so much!

Once everyone was done with lunch, we walked across the street to the church for the races.  We have lots of little babies this year in the family so we had to be on time. Ü  Mia was up first for our little family.  She wasn't sure what was going on but she knew she had to run to daddy.  She got running kind of sideways and missed her mark but daddy found her and she was happy to get her candy at the end.

Daddy snapping his finger to try to get Mia to see him

The same thing kinda of happened to Alex.  He got cut off by a couple kids so he was off course but he ran fast and did a great job.

Alex (in navy blue) trying to make his way through

Halen isn't the fastest runner but he did awesome and beat a few of the other kids his age.

Halen (in red) right in the pack

After the races, we went back to the house to let the babies and some parents Ü) have a nap then we celebrated Cassidy's birthday with cake and ice cream and presents.  Then we had a little dinner and headed over to the rodeo grounds.  Luke was nice enough to bring his horses up so the kids could all take a turn riding them for a while.  It's something the boys look forward to every year so thanks to Luke for helping make some fun memories for my kids.  Mia didn't want to be anywhere near them but hopefully someday she'll get over her fear.

Grandpa leading Halen; Ben leading Alex in the back

Alex had so much fun

Luke let Hudson get on with Alex & Halen for a minute

Daddy, Mia, Alex & Halen getting ready for the rodeo to start

Alex, Halen & Cassidy are the best of friends

Cassidy talked Alex into going to do the chicken chase with her in the arena.  They tried to get Halen to go too but he didn't that sounded like fun so he stayed and watched.  I tried to get some pics but Alex was running so fast they all turned out blurry.  He got pretty close to a chicken but thankfully didn't catch it. Ü

So another 24th of July is in the books.  It's one of my most favorite times of the year and I'm so glad my kids to get celebrate and now they're getting old enough to understand a little more about why we celebrate and be thankful for our pioneer ancestors.