Happy Birthday America!!!!

Everyone who knows me well, knows that Independence Day is by far my favorite holiday. I love everything that comes along with it. The weather, the friends, the food. I think it is all so fun. And this year was exceptional. Having the 4th fall on Sunday meant 3 days of parades, and parties instead of just one. HOORAY!! This year Burk and I decided to add a new little twist to our Layton Liberty days celebration. We made a list of 35 people that we always see at the park on the fourth but rarely see other places. People we have worked with, old high school friends, random people that we both know or have funny stories about. Then we each drew 24 out of a hat and made Bingo cards. The free space was a girl with too much cleavage and a tramp stamp. The loser was going to have to be in charge of date night once a month for a year. That means they had to plan it, pay for it, and arrange a babysitter. The game would begin Monday morning when we got to our saved parade spot and end when the fireworks began at ten. Sadly, after tons of trash talking by both of us neither of us ended up with Bingo at all and we both ended up with exactly nine spaces filled. DOH!! We loved it anyway and are thinking of expanding our game next year to include our whole "group" and making the bingo squares be things like mullet, bikini top, wife beater tank top, etc. rather than people, and buying prizes for the winners.

We went over Sunday night and roped off a space for all our family who sit at the parade with us. We were worried because our usual spot is "under construction" and unavailable. But we ended up in front of the library in a spot that worked out great. It had shade and everything. It was also really close to the parking lot and restrooms. Perfect for Tata who was due 2 days later. (Hazel by the way has still not come out to meet us, Tata said she must be building a city in there and planning to never come out) Sorry Tata that must be miserable)

Porter did get to feel Hazel kick though which was super cool but surprised the heck out of him.

The parade was the same as always. Mostly politicians and local businesses. LAME!! And I loved it as much as always. I felt a surge of pride as the flag went by and I stopped to reflect how lucky we are to live in this great country where men and women give their lives so we can enjoy this lifestyle. (thanks guys)

I was a little sad to see that my very favorite part of the parade, Ruben, was riding this year and did not flex for us. But I am glad we saw him, he was on both of our bingo cards.

I found it a little funny, and thought only in Utah, would the float voted "best of show" say "church going, temple attending, tomato picking people" But I have to hand it to them it was a pretty float. I also giggled a little and took a pic for Sammy at both Clearfield and Layton's parades because the "Elders" were handing out candy. We thought they should have had tiny BOM's to hand out. HA HA

Porter has had a plan for months to have a mo-hawk on the fourth with red and blue spikes. Here he is feeling very cool in his "glasses and awesome hair". The only thing missing was his "tank top walk" which is very cute but that will have to be another post.

After the parade and carnival we set up Porter's waterslide, blew up a few pools and put out a few lawn toys and had a BBQ. There was tons of food. We had burgers, hot dogs, chicken, fruit, green salad and cookie salad. It was such a great time. I have to admit I got a little too caught up in the food and visiting to take as many pics as I would have liked to.

After the BBQ it was on to Grandpa Great's to watch the fireworks. Masen and Heather always brings fireworks to light while we wait for the city ones, which is bonus for us. This year they had peculiar names and we all had a good laugh. We brought glow sticks and the kids all had fun with those.

All in all it was a super long , super great day. As much as I always love the fourth this one may have topped them all.

Thanks to EVERYONE who spent the day with me. I truly love you all. I can't wait until next year.

The party.

Wouldn't you know as soon as Rebb's party began my SD card would register full. Lucky for us Masen (masenphotography.blogspot.com) came to the rescue. He lent me an extra card as well as taking a bunch of shots and emailing them to me so we could document this milestone. Just like at Target he was very dainty (at first) about digging into the cake. But when he got going he was totally into it. Boggy had to clear his nose out, it was stuffed with frosting. I got his cakes at Bowmans and they were yummy and really cute. They were sesame street.

Although we equally loved and appreciated every present he got, he opened this big blue ball first and was not gonna let it go.

We tried to hide it but he would watch every time and go right for it. He just wanted to hold it while opening all his other wonderful gifts. He made out like a banchee. He ended up with tons of cute outfits, diapers, money, and so many great toys.

We had planned to party outside but the weather didn't co-operate so we were a little squished inside but it worked out. We had such a blast and it was awesome to have our loved ones around. Thanks everyone for coming and celebrating this sweet boy with us.

A little bragging!!

So here are a few more of my faves from Target the morning of Rebb's birthday. As a side note those brown eyes MELT my heart.

I don't know how this happened!!

I can't believe my baby is one! I swear time is speeding up. Yesterday Rebb turned one and we took him to Target for some pictures. They did such a super great job and I was happy because they were running a customer appreciation special and I got a coupon online for 50% off my whole order. I had them take some normal pictures and then I gave him a little cake I thought he would tear into it and go crazy eating. I was wrong! He is a little dainty. I kept thinking as soon as he tasted it he would dig in but he never really did. He did like it though and was sad when we took it away.
I don't know how to feel about my baby growing up so fast. I have been crying for two days. He is totally messing up my plan. We were convinced we had the two boys and we were good. We turned 31 this year, and most importantly we didn't want to have another and give the kids the numbers. But little Rebb has been so super duper sweet. He is the kind of baby that makes you want another one. He is totally a huggy bear. He is really cuddly and loving. After Porter I never dreamed I could love another boy like this. WRONG AGAIN!! Rebb has changed our world. He has brought so much love and laughter into our home. I am so thankful that our heavenly father chose our family to send him too. Now I just hope we can lead him back without totally screwing him up :). I love you Rebb!! Happy birthday.

Baseball Boy

Porter is doing so well with Tball. Last night at his game his coach was laughing and said "man we should bump that kid up a league or two, look at him leading off." He was at bat three times and had two good, and one great hits. He still has a hard time staying focused and paying attention for the whole game. Just like in the rest of his life he is a little socialite. Tonight while riding in the car he said "Daddy can we play situational baseball?" Burk proceeded to give him different scenarios and then he would say what the next play should be. It was kind of cool. I didn't know which I should be more impressed with his baseball knowledge or his use of the word "situational". Just another proud baseball mom, moment.

T Ball

Tball started tonight. Porter has been so excited, he didn't think this day would ever come. Yesterday we got him a belt and some little baseball pants. He looks like a little professional.

Just like with soccer he had to call everyone and make sure everyone he knew was coming to the game. He did have a rather large cheering section. All his grandparents, plus Grampa Great and Ardis, Tata and Cody and Booge and the boys. Along with Burk and I of course.

I think Burk and I must have been excited as well. We may have gotten a little carried away. But I can't believe how much fun it is to have your kids in sports. I think Burk has been waiting for this day for four and a half years.

At this age they don't really have an actual game. They just kind of give them the basics. They hit through the batting order 3 times. The fielders kind of stand in clumps and they don't really have any outs. A time or two kids would run from center field or second base to pick up the ball barely in front of the tee. Not surprisingly, Porter was all too happy to use this as another social hour. I witnessed him taking off his helmet on second base to show of his new mohawk to the kid on the other team who was "playing" second.

He hit pretty well. He had kind of a hard time his second at bat. The helmet was so big it was down over his eyes and he couldn't see anything. He was so concerned about having his batting glove but forgot to use it. He made sure to tell me the fingers had to stick out the top of the pocket like the catcher for the Lancers.

He just had to have number nine like Sammy Sosa. He wears it well, and I am sure he would make Sammy proud. I couldn't be more proud of him.