I'm proud to be an American

As each year passes I always take time on the 4th to think about my freedoms and my country. I'm truly glad for where I live and the beautiful place it is. Each year as I reflect though, I worry about where our country is headed. How long will we have our freedoms? What if America becomes the kind of place that no one wants to fight for? And then I pray extra hard that night to have continued protection over this land. And then I got to celebrating!

Here are our 4th of July Cuties!

After our CRAZY month of June, I desperately wanted to have a normal 4th of July and BBQ and hang out with family and friends and we did just that! Here we are waiting for the parade to start.

And it was very exciting when it did!

 Then we came home and made our very own large slip n slide and put our feet in the pool. It was a perfect temperature out and we really enjoyed just relaxing as a family.

 We got pizza and cherries and went to the park and enjoyed the quiet! It was completely empty! Rylee got introduced to cherries and was in LOVE!

After that we took off to the famous Unsworth party and BBQ! It was a great time as usual and the kids swam and played together so well.

 The group is getting to be quite big! But the more people the better!

 Rylee spent most of her evening in this. She was in heaven!

 Getting ready for the show!

I snuggled Ry for a bit but then she was totaly fine to sit with Jack, my friends son, for the rest of the firework show. She didn't even flinch. She was mostly mesmerized.

 These girls snuggled up in a chair together and did really well for how late we kept them up! We had a blast but by the end of the night they were begging to go to bed. It was a fantastic day!

LET FREEDOM RING!

Rupert Reception

The week after youth conference we headed back to Idaho for the Rupert Reception. We had alot of decorating to do! Thank heavens for Pinterest! This wouldn't have happened with out it! I had a lot of fun putting these together.

Some of my favorite decorations were the spool entry table and the backdrop! I was up alot with tons of anxiety about how to put it all together and we pulled it off and it was SO beautiful!

Notice A&B in the background :)

I absolutely love the picture above. And the one below too. It's so fun to dress up for weddings!

 A&B looking good. The AC was not our friend with this backdrop. It kept blowing the curtains open.

 In our spare time at the reception we Brielle talked a few people into dancing with her.

 Brothers....

 A bunch of beautiful people!

It was another success! Everything went great and as planned (mostly). Brielle was playing the night before and hit her ankle on something...still not sure what....but she was screaming and it immediately got swollen and purple so off to the ER we went!

 It was so big and the pictures don't do it justice but I was relieved when they said it wasn't broken and we could go home. She limped slightly still and said it hurt for a week or so but she was a champ and didn't complain much. The doctors thought she was a ham and couldn't believe how much she talked! She has turned into a jabber box and has such a big personality! She is so funny.








It was so wonderful to be with family so much this month but I know we were all relieved when it was over. This is the LAST wedding our family will do and let me tell you, I'm a bit excited about that too!!!

Youth conference

The very next weekend Chad took off with the youth to Youth Conference! I so badly wanted to sneak in his bag and tag along but I knew I had mommy duties to fulfill.  They left pretty early and Chad captured this funny picture of the boys sleeping. 

Someone in our ward suggested city of rocks for youth conference and Chad piped up and said that he knew of a place they could maybe stay...the Hymas Hotel in Moore! (Chad's parents have turned their old photography studio into a big bedroom with lots of beds! It is very comfy)

 They stopped at the Idaho Falls temple and ate their lunch and played on the green belt then went on to the Rexburg temple to do baptisms. We have SUCH a great group of youth. I love them all!

 At the Hymas' house they played volleyball, jumped on the tramp, ate dutch oven meals and just enjoyed some country air! Clyde and Evelyn were very generous to open their home to them. The boys camped in tents and the girls got the 'hotel.'

 They ventured off to the City of rocks and did some cave exploring.

 super cool!

 They all had a great time I think and I heard wonderful things upon their return. Even the leaders loved the peace and quiet of the country and really enjoyed the company.

The new ford

About this time we found ourselves needing a truck often to haul things and pull things. With the sale of our Idaho home going through we had a little extra cash and decided it was time. I gave Chad a price limit and a stipulation that it had to fit all 6 of us comfortably. He quickly found one and purchased it. We have loved it and it's been so nice for hauling things and pulling the scout trailer which now sits at our house. 

Funny thing....we actually don't like the color of silver cars much but now we have TWO silver cars that we own! But here it is looking pretty slick in that silver color! Chad was funny and said he felt more manly driving it! And I'd be lying if I didn't say I enjoy driving it too!!

A&B WEDDING & reception #1

The next busy thing on the agenda was Adam & Brittney's wedding! June 11th they were sealed in the Bountiful Temple! All the kiddos waited patiently in the temple waiting room for the sealing and it was a beautiful sealing as they always are! It was so fun to dress up all the grandkids in matching clothes!

 Here they ALL are! 10 of them!

 Here's a few of our family!

 And the bride and groom emerge looking so happy!! It was raining slightly so we did a few family pictures in the atrium at the center of the temple.

 The night before the wedding we spent time setting up the luncheon for after the wedding. They had it catered by Costa vida and it was delicious!

 Here is the head table....you get the idea...lots of my photos turned out blurry.

After this is was off to Malad for the Tubbs reception. (After a quick pitstop at Insta care for me and Mollie who were feeling a little under the weather.)

It was still a bit drizzly but by the time the reception was ready to start the rain was almost gone. It was held in their beautiful backyard. And here's the parents and bride and groom lookin good!

 And all the kiddios with A&B

 The cake was protected by a cute purple umbrella.

 The kids were really good for the most part but all of a sudden Brielle got a wild hair and tackled Mollie and wouldn't get off! All that pent up happiness finally exploded!

 And this is one of my favorite shots. For years i've dreamed of having a sister and here I am with my FOUR NEW SISTERS! I love them all like they were in my family forever and I'm so blessed to know and have each of them in my life. They are the best!

 The wedding went well with no major catastrophes and the bride and groom took off to Florida for their honeymoon. It was a great evening!