June, and the 4th of July

 The kids are getting very good with their bows. We need to go shoot somewhere else. Barry kept yelling at James not to hit the neighbor's house. :)

 Ellie is a "natural".

 Emma went in the house during a distracted moment and came back with a banana. This is probably the ONLY picture you will ever see of eating a banana. 
I saw my cute Emma, and felt inclined to take her picture, then my brain started working, and I was like "What the heck Emma??!!??" You can't eat bananas!!!!!! It was swiftly taken away and she was SUPER mad. 
*they cause her severe digestion distress, but apparently she loves them. 

 Lauren's technique is quite impressive. She often can shoot farther than James.

 James made Emma a bow she could shoot. It was very sweet of him and it worked great!

Pate Family Reunion at Box Elder Campground. I really only took a couple of pictures before we left. The kids had a lot of fun building shelters, going to the reservoir, riding in grandpa's boat. Playing on the beach. Playing with cousins and eating lots of good food! Emma and I went to Brigham City instead, and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Stuart. We made Jam and ate Tacos. Sitting around a smokey campfire all day is NO BUENO for pregnant women. 

 James made this! With a little help from Barry. IT was very impressive.

 Wishing he could sleep there. 

 Ellie's Shelter. It was pretty awesome! She could stand up in it. She and her girl cousin's her age worked really hard on it. They spent most of the 3 days we were there in it.

 Lauren's shelter. Lauren's shelter was more "naturally occurring", but she had done some decorating, and was quite proud of it.

 After the Pate family reunion, we headed home to celebrate the 4th of July!

 We went to the Parade in Buhl. IT was hot, and no restrooms. See that nice shadow over on the right... cast from a pillar. Yep, that's where I sat.

 huge horse

 The cheerleaders had a water gun in the back of a pickup truck they were getting everyone wet with. Unbeknownst to us, they people across the street from us were prepared and brought tons of water balloons to assault them with. They were screaming and running around like they'd never got wet before. It was quite funny. A couple balloons rolled over to our side of the street unbroken and the kids were quick to join in.

 After the parade. We had mandatory naptime for ornery kids and Mom. IT was a good thing, because we decided to go to Jackpot Nevada for a 4th of July Celebration. 
Brother Jack of the Four Jacks Casino, puts on quite a party for the Jackpot Branch and friends. :D

 They had free Snowcones and slushies!

 Emmie got Root-beer flavor. I don't think she really liked it. She promptly gave it to Barry. He said it was delicious!

 They also were giving away cotton candy. I'm not really sure how much James ate, but he loved it!

 Then they started making caramel apples!!!!! Super Yummy! They had about an inch of hot caramel on them. Lauren dropped a glob on her leg and burned her leg, poor thing. I wiped it off(and her skin) and burnt MY fingers) I think she ended up eating the whole apple herself. Crazy kid.

 IT's really hard to eat a caramel apple with only one big tooth and loose teeth on the bottom. He gave it a good shot though. :)

 They had a pretty descent band there. I was impressed. Emma wanted to dance a bit to the music! There was a short patriotic program and a flag ceremony.

 Then back to the FUN.

 Can you tell we're in Nevada?

 Face Painting.

 I didn't know they would have a water slide there, so we didn't have any extra clothes. Ellie was super disappointed she didn't get to play in it. I told her no, but James was with Barry, she he got told Yes. He was freezing when he was done and had to sit in the sun to try and dry out. He told me later, that he had made a "foolish decision." :D  

 Trying to dry out.

 and who should Ellie run into, but her very good friend Sarah. They spent the rest of the day together!

 Miss Emma enjoying some free Culiver's ice cream. I swapped her for some vanilla, so she wouldn't get all messy. She gobbled it up.

 Waiting for the train. (Yes, I know James looks silly with his sunglasses on, but he gets migraines from the sun and those glasses are a lifesaver. Personally, I would've bought a more discreet pair, but I wasn't there when they were purchased.)

 They played with these sacks for hours. They also had races across the field. I think it bothered Sarah that she couldn't beat James in a race. Especially, since he seems to be putting forth zero effort. It made me chuckle. Ellie just accepts it. We just need to get Lauren running more. I bet she could give James a run for his money in a year or two. That girl is smooth and fast. 

Everyone else was requesting fireworks, and flags, but Lauren's wanted a butterfly, so a butterfly she got.  .....and she still has. ;) 
 I think they outlined it in permanent marker. Barry couldn't even scrub that bug off. Waiting in line for dinner. It was a LONG line, but we had some friends to talk to. They had hand-dipped corn dogs and hamburgers, plus a million side dishes. 


Drawing with Ice on the sidewalk, waiting for the fireworks to start.

Of course someone was handing out Free Glowsticks. The kids were super happy about that.  The firework show was awesome. Best I've ever seen. It was put on by one of the big casinos there. I'm not sure the kids have ever really seen a big firework show. They loved it. Emma Ooo and Ahh'ed, and fell asleep. Barry carried her to the car, and she woke up when he put her in her carseat. He asked her if she liked the fireworks. She said. "Yes!!!! There was lots of fire, and it was sure workin'!!"

 Emma on the guitar.

 Seriously Barry???? Don't I deserve to park there? He said we couldn't because HE was driving. I'm totally going back and parking there. :P

Getting stuff for the sunroom from Home Depot. We will finish it eventually.

 Scout Camp for Barry and James. Barry is helping with the Merit Badges. James is helping ....catch fish.
He said I could take his picture IF I also took a picture of the cute worms.

 Happy? 

 Girl party at home!