4th of July Fun!

We had such a marvelous Independence Day! It started on the 3rd with a BBQ at Tyler's house (my favorite Boise sister's boyfriend). Mom & Dad & Grandma Anna Streeper (mom's mom), Susan (my favorite baby sister) & her 2 lil darlings (Carter 3 & Layla 1). Friday the 4th several of the fam went golfing early. 3 of my boys LOVE golf & even the 6:30 T time didn't deture them! After brunch & practicing our songs for the parade (later) we swam at the Green's - where the party would be. We swam & dove for afew hours, then practiced with the all LDS missionary color gaurd (flag team). They looked SO good! All in their white shirts, red ties, & black pants & shoes, & blue flags. My favorite Caldwell sister in law Melanie did a marvelous job teaching those beginners how to twirl the flag.

Each family brought a pot-luck item so we totally pigged out! There was a fish pond, volleyball, soccer croquet, pool games & several grass games to play also... of course MY team won... if you ask any of us that is. :)

Our favorite part was deffinately the PARADE! First was our handsom nephew Cody dressed in a military uniform carrying a large American Flag. Next was our band: Jeff was the drum major, Jaren played the tuba, Preston played the trumpet, Blake the cyblols, Dillon the saxaphone, me the flute, Jeff's friend the drums, + 20 kazoo players! There were 4 floats, several decorated cars, bikes, strollers, rollerbladers, & skateboarders all decked out! We all had fun hats & red white & blue on.

Of course we had a pyro-style firework show to end the festive day. That is NOT a mom's favorite part! Yikes! Somehow, nobody was injured.

Saturday Mom & Dad & Grandma Anna left early to get to a funural. The other 11 of us (our 13 + Annabeth, Susan, Carter & Layla) went to the cabin in Cascade. We had a marvelous time at the lake... not ideal but we made the most of it.