The 4th

This was our first Fourth of July by ourselves. No Grass Valley Parade or laying out on a blanket watching the fireworks. Even though it was very different than anything I'm used to, it was fun starting some of our own traditions and enjoying something new with the girls. Our ward had a flag raising ceremony (inside) and pancake breakfast. That was nice, and it meant I didn't have to cook or clean up in the morning! When we got home we made ice cream. When Audrey saw me heating the milk on the stove she was pretty sure I was doing it all wrong. But by the end of the day it was ready, and REALLY good!

After we rested a while and the ice cream was ready for the freezer we took the girls to the pool. It was so busy, but well worth it on a 100 plus day. Since taking swim classes the girls are both really comfortable in the water. But, no doubt about it; Lexi is our risk taker and Audrey our risk assessor. Lexi was going down the little water slides and climbing in play tubes while Audrey was staying where she felt she had a bit more control. Audrey was very cooperative, posing in the pool, while Lexi was too fast in the water to try to take a pic. When it finally got dark enough we took the girls outside and did some fireworks of our own. Lexi loved the little"Pop-its" that you throw and really got the hang of it. She also enjoyed the sparklers, but always wanted to hold them from the wrong end. While everything was just too loud for Audrey she finally admitted "well it is kind of beautiful". Tim got some of his own fireworks to play with too and we could even see some big ones from the casinos close by.
Even though we missed everyone that has become part of our Independence Day routine it really was nice to do something new and hopefully start some new traditions that the girls will remember when they are older.