It is finally feeling like summer here in Utah. We skipped spring entirely, but now that the weather is nice we are taking full advantage of it. One of our families favorite summer activities is Herriman Town Days. We love the parade. I love watching the joy on my kids faces as they race for candy thrown from floats. It is like one huge pinata. I forgot my camera this year. We also love going to the park in the afternoon and riding rides and walking around to all the booths. This year Adam got to ride a pony, which he loved.
We love to stick around the park and eat dinner (Little Caesars). We spread out our blankets on the grass behind the pavilion and enjoy the free concert. This year it was Jericho Road, a little 8 years ago, but still kind of fun. Someone should probably tell those guys they are in their 30's now and not as cool as they used to be. As soon as the concert is over and it dark the real show begins, fireworks! There is just something so awesome about laying on your back in the park with your family all around you listening to Lee Greenwood's "I am proud to be an American" and having your whole field of vision light up by fireworks. One of my favorite moments of the whole summer.
Adam and me, and Nathan with cousins Eli and Alayna waiting for the show to begin.
We are also having a lot of fun with our neighbors this summer. We always have fun with our next door neighbors in the summer. Jackie and I typically spend a lot of time sitting in our front yards watching our kids play while we chat. This year we have new friends. We got new neighbors across the street who have 4 girls all the same ages as my kids. We are becoming great friends and we love hanging out with them. Here we are playing in the water.
Adam and Morgan
Nathan and Harlie
Jackie and Kasey, being the great neighbors that they are made me this cute tutu for Natalie. They were making 4th of July tutus for their girls and had extra material. Thanks guys, isn't she adorable?
Riverton Town Days is another highlight of summer. This is a Wardle family tradition from when Randy was growing up. It is always on the 4th of July, so it is a great way to celebrate. It started with the parade on Friday night. The parade was crazy, residents of Riverton take their parade seriously. My mother in law put out chairs a week in advance. Then we had to squeeze about 30 Wardles and 10 friends of Wardles into about 20 feet of sidewalk. Good thing we like each other.
Hayden, Isaac, Jacob, and Nathan waiting for the parade to start
The parade was long, so long that Nathan said to me, "Mom, I am tired of catching candy." Then then went and sat down to enjoy what he had picked up.
It was long for Natalie too, she fell asleep on daddy's lap.
On Saturday we met cousins at the park. We were hoping to see Air Force jets fly over, but they never came. At least we got to play all decked out in our patriotic attire.
Saturday afternoon we had a party with Randy's family. Natalie loves Grandpa Wardle.
I made the awesomest cake. Seriously, the best I have ever made. It was a plain white coconut cake on the outside, but inside held a surprise.
Ta Da!!
All the Wardle cousins, except Natalie, who was sleeping.
After the party it was off to watch the Riverton fireworks. We found a great spot with a good view of the action.
Since Randy had the day off on Monday we decided to go camping with Randy's brother Jason and his family. We left Sunday afternoon after church and drove up to the Uintas. For some reason we ended up in a campsite with no facilities. No table, no outhouse, no faucet. I don't mind camping when I have these basic things. Without them things are a little rough. There was no where to prepare our meals, no way to wash hands and faces (I think we used an entire package of baby wipes), and I would be happy if I never have to squat in the woods again. About the time the Ketchup exploded all over me was about the time I decided that I will never camp like this again. Natalie was sweet as always, she slept great next to me in my sleeping bag. And Randy and the boys had a great time, even if I didn't.
What boy wouldn't love getting this filthy?
We got back from camping on Monday afternoon. That night we were kicking it in the front yard with our neighbors and we decided to do some fireworks of our own. What a great way to end the weekend.
Whoever thought that lighting a firework and putting in the hand of a child was a good idea was crazy. And yet we do sparklers every year. Adam ended up with a little singed hair, but luckily that was the worst that happened.
