Parades

I love the 4th of July and how even in a big city you get a small town feel. We started the day by going to the "big" parade that was by the high school. We were running late and missed the kids parade but made it in time for the "big" floats. Most of the floats were sponsored by the elementary schools, cheerleaders and neighborhood organizations.

Katherine had never been to a parade like this but she quickly learned that many of the floats thrown - CANDY!

Both kids were very patriotic in their red, white and blue waving the American flag.

We all thought the "hot dog" was pretty funny. Apparently the kids parade also had a dog division.

After the parade there was a carnival. It gave us the perfect opportunity to use our new wagon that was an early birthday present for Caroline. It was a hit.

Katherine also went on a pony ride. She was really excited about the idea but a little scared when she was on the pony. She wanted me to hold on tight.

We came home for about half an hour to cool off as it was about 100 degrees. Then we went to our neighborhood parade and picnic. This event is one of my favorite things about our neighborhood. For over 30 years there is a parade and picnic in front of the same house. The kids all decorate their wagons, tricycles and strollers and go around the block following a fire engine. After the parade we all sit and enjoy a great spread of food pot luck style. There were probably over 100 neighbors there.

Kaboom!

Friday night we met up with our good friends Jen and Richard and Janna and Wade plus all the kids to watch fireworks. Wade's office is close and within view of one of the bigger fireworks shows in town. We were among the first to arrive at the parking garage and we had a lot of time to hang out and have fun before the fireworks started.

We all brought snacks and drinks as well as ice cream and brownies.

There was an airshow overhead. I grew up going to airshows with my brother so I enjoyed it but it was really pretty small.

There was more time to fill so we took the kids on wagon rides through the parking lot.

I brought side walk chalk so I traced Katherine and then she drew clothes and a face.

Jen brought glow stick bracelets for the kids. Caroline thought it was a great teether.

The fireworks finally were on. We had a "jambox" tuned into the station that was broadcasting the patriotic music for the fireworks show. There was a hotel obstructing some of the show but overall it was a pretty good view and we did not have to fight the crowds at the festival. I

t took us over an hour to get home though due to the horrible traffic. Caroline fell asleep at 10:30 and Katherine at 11. Amazingly, they both woke up before 7.

Mother's Day

After church we went to Nana and Pops' house for lunch and Mother's Day celebration. The girls gave Nana a picture of them together.
Katherine brought me a beautiful bouquet of roses.
She also made me a card.
I love my girls and I love being a mom.

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was our 6th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe it has been 6 years already. I love thinking back to our wedding day. It was everything I wanted, a beautiful, traditional church filled with poinsettias for Christmas, a reception that was fun with dinner and dancing, friends and family celebrating with us.

Our first Christmas was spent on our honeymoon in Driggs, Idaho. Actually, we stayed in a small cabin 5 miles outside of Driggs (pop 200 or something small like that). It was just over the pass from Jackson Hole. No Christmas will ever be able to compare to that.

I loved getting married at Christmas but it is a hard time to celebrate an anniversary. It is a very busy time so we usually go to dinner and look at Christmas lights. Last night we almost did nothing because we had a preschooler who had not napped and the day was a disaster. That exactly why we needed to get away and we did. Mom babysat long enough for a casual dinner at our favorite Thai reastaurant.

Things have sure changed a lot in the past 6 years of marriage. We have moved once. We have each changed jobs. We have traveled overseas 4 times including living in Norway for 14 weeks. We have added a dog and two daughters to our family.

What has not changed is our commitment to one another, God and our family.

Happy anniversary Sam. I love you.

What many people don't know about us is that we met on eHarmony. Yes, I met my husband on the Internet. We know at least 5 other couples that met on eHarmony as well but at the time I knew no one. At first we did not tell people that we met on the Internet. We told them that we met at church. That was actually not a lie. We met first at church but did not get to know one another beyond knowing first names until we were matched on eHarmony. Today we heard a news story on the radio (actually a month old) that eHarmony settled out of court and is going to be having a website for same-sex matches. We were both so surprised by this as eHarmony was founded as a Christian company. Both of us signed up for it after our mothers heard it's founder speak on Focus on the Family. We were invited to go to California be a part of their advertising 3.5 years ago but were not able to participate due to a conflict. We are glad now that we are not a part of the advertising for a matching service that goes against our beliefs.

Anyway, I am so thankful that the Internet did exist to match me to my husband. Happy Anniversary.

Time Stands Still New Years Eve Party

I really am surprised that I am the first one to get around to posting about New Years since there were a number of bloggers in attendance at our party (just follow their links).

For the third year, Bruce and Heather have hosted a New Years Eve Party. Each year there is a theme and we all come in costumes. In a way, it reminds me of college date parties. This year's theme was "Time Stands Still" and we were all to wear tacky formals from our past - high school prom, bridesmaid, etc. Of course if you did not have any formals from your past or if they no longer fit, you had a perfectly good excuse to go to the thrift stores for your costume.

I went to my parents house and sure enough, every formal I had ever owned, all the way back to 9th grade Homecoming was in my closet (our family is full of pack rats). I chose to wear my sequined top from my Senior Ring Dance (kind of like a prom for college). It really was not that tacky but kind of dated since it was from almost 13 years ago. I thought it would be the most comfortable option. To continue with the sparkle theme, Sam wore a sequined jacket that I picked up at a thrift store in Branson, MO when I worked there one year. I am sure that it was worn in one of the shows at some point.

Cheesy typical high school prom pose.

Everyone did a great job of raiding parents closets and thrift stores. We looked like a group of girls going to prom in the 1990's.

Heather wearing her sisters bridesmaid dress that her mother modified with lace to be a holiday dress along with Cari who completed her tacky formal ensemble with a nice blue bra that shows.

Kari in a bridesmaid dress that I did not think was really tacky though not our first choice of colors and Carrie in her 10th grade sequined formal. I am so impressed with anyone that can wear something from 10th grade.
Marci was looking quite prim and proper in her Victorian lace formal and Pamela was very elegant in her gold shimmering gown. For a long time the men played guitar hero. Sam was jammin' out.

Every year there is karaoke but this year the SACG (Sunday Afternoon Community Group) Band performed a selection of songs. The band featured Derek and Jonathan on guitar, Clark on drums, Heather on keyboard and Bruce on vocals. All of us joined in for the sing along.

I love how Erin enhanced the tackiness of her blue sequined formal by stuffing her bra. By the end of the evening her kleenix was also useful to keep her arms from being rubbed by the sequins and to catch perspiration.

Enjoy the video of the SACG Band.

PS - I apologize for the picture quality. I was not using my nice camera. Pictures zoomed in tend to be grainy and apparently there was something on my lense that makes spots appear on many of the photos. Sorry.