24th of July Parade Preview Extravaganza

This year, like the last few years, we went to the parade preview for Pioneer Day aka 24th of July. This year we met my sisters Laura and Linda and their crew for an afternoon of face painting and ballon creations. We saw all the beautiful floats and met the Pioneer Day royalty. After that we had lunch together then came back to our pool for an afternoon of swimming and chatting. My littlest sister, Megan just moved to San Diego for medical school for her hubby and my other little sister, Heidi went with to help her set up her new place. After a long afternoon of swimming we went to Leatherby's for dinner and ice cream. We ordered 4 of the biggest sundaes they have and pigged out. It was terrific. Today (the actual 24th of July) we've had a quiet day at home packing and cleaning for our weekend trip to Preston Idaho to visit Cookie Grandma. We'll do some fireworks tonight and stay up late, I'm sure, but our big day of fun was yesterday. We're spending Friday at the American West Heritage Museum so we'll get a full dose of pioneers then.

Gwen trying to decide what ballon to get.

Emily wanted a butterfly ballon and butterfly face paint.

Gwen wanted a kitty ballon

This was Emily's favorite float. It had a giant butterfly on top and a caterpillar train that went around it.

Gwen

Another super great amazing thing is that Gwen has been working hard to be dry through the night. She'd only had a handful of dry nights her whole life, then we had a talk about it, listened to A pod cast about it, and decided together to try some things to help her be dry. She's been dry for over a week, so we splurged and got her some prizes: dolls from her favorite movie Equestria Girls. We had to get some for Emily too who threatened to start peeing the bed if we didn't. Yeah, she's a great manipulator.

4th of July

For the 4th of  July this year we woke up early (for summer anyway) at 8:30 and went to the Murray City parade like we always do. It was an awesome parade this year, but we missed the first part, also, toward the end was the group of zombies again. They were not as scary this year, or maybe we're just braver this year. The best part, according to Gwen was the cute zombie Boy her age that handed her a couple extra pieces of candy. Ahhh, young love.

After the parade, we went home and napped and ate lunch. Then we went to Lagoon. We were afraid it would be very busy, but it was nearly empty. We walked on any ride we wanted without waiting in line. It was so fun. Plus we saw the show we love twice. Gwen went on the double loop roller coaster, the Colossus, for her first time. She is braver than her daddy. Gwen has recently found out that she rather enjoys upside down rides and loves to drag her scary-cat daddy on them to make him cry. She's just like her mommy who also loves doing that to Jonathan.

Paisley loves minions.

Sword fighting at the park.

Our cat is very patriotic.

Then we grabbed dinner at In-n-out and went to the Layton City Park for their firework show. We met all the cousins there and had fun playing games and talking. We got home super late around midnight and we all loved it.

Emily showing off her candy loot.

Gwen is less excited.

Taylorsville Dayzz

We went to Taylorsville city's annual festival with the annoying name of Taylorsville Dayzz this last weekend. It was too hot to go earlier in the day. The temperature has been over 100 degrees the last few days. We ventured out after dinner, but so did everyone else. We did the pony rides and petting zoo. Jonathan went on the Gravitron. I waited in line for over 20 minutes for soft serve ice cream, then did it again when Jonathan wanted one as well. By then, the crowds were getting insane, it was almost ten o'clock, and we dreaded fighting the traffic home after the fireworks. Instead, we left prior to the fireworks and camped out nearby in front of my parents' home to watch them minus the crowds. A teenage couple in a truck, maybe kids of the neighbors, pulled up and parked near us. Emily climbed up in the back of their truck and sat right by them during the whole 20 minutes of fireworks. She sang them songs and probably spoiled their "romantic" evening. Way to go, Emily.