4th of July

We celbrated our 4th of July in Iowa.

Well, technically because the 4th fell on a Sunday,

we all celebrated on the 3rd of July instead.

As usual, we drove through the night.

The kids did pretty well, but the girls are really getting too big 

to try and share the back seat of the van.

So, I ended up moving sliding, two very heavy,sleepy boys to the back seat.

The girls needed more space and the boys slept quite nicely

until one of them woke up and realized where they were.

They were too excited to be in the back where the big kids sit

to fall back asleep.  So, they were up for about an hour

or so laughing and giggling with glee annoucing

that they were in the back seat.

They eventually fell back asleep and

we made it to the farm just in time

for breakfast and a much needed nap.

 During our nap the kids apparently started their hunt for frogs and toads

and made homes for them.  Apparently, I didn't take pictures of the frog homes

but I did snap one of Carter giving his frog a bath.

I upgraded my camera and was waiting for my new camera to be shipped, 

and I just don't seem to take as many pics with my little point and shoot.

The next morning we headed to town for their annual 4th of July parade.

Huge advantage with country living and small towns-

We left the farm about ten minutes before the parade was to begin

and  arrived in time to score front row seats with our van parked just a few 

feet away.  That would never happen in the city.

The kids scrambled for candy as we watched the parade

and laughed at how quickly the candy would disappear.

The kids ended up with more candy than they needed.

After the parade  there was plenty of room to spread out for a 

family game of duck, duck, goose and squirrel.

And there was time to love on the newest baby boys! 

Dane smiles at everything and Oliver is the chunkiest guy ever!

They are both so cute!

We headed back to the farm for lunch.

The girls helped Grandma make pie and they played with the babies.

Nadya is holding Rexton who apparently just  had a major growth spurt!

They reintroduced themselves to Suzy-Q who is not so little anymore!

Later that evening we snuck over to see the newest additions to the family.

Tiny-Newborn twin baby cousins!

(they were only a few days only when this picture was taken) 

This makes five boys for Scot and Lynn.  

Five adorable boys that is!

Meet Brady and Grayson

 One of them woke up so Grandma got to love on him a little. 
I think it was Brady, but I could be wrong.

They are so tiny and cute.  

It's crazy to think about how big they will be the 

next time we see them.

The evening ended in rain so we didn't head into town to see the fireworks. 

(we saw a few from the drive way but they are not nearly

as good as the up-close ones)

I am glad we have the 24th of July in Utah to make up for it!  

It's been a pretty wet summer in Iowa so 

the rain was pretty much expected.